The most recent controversy involves the Tirumala Tirupati Laddu that is a helping offered at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple site in Andhra Pradesh has now escalated to the apex court of India. The problem is concerned with allegations that prasadam – laddu prepared from the ‘holy’ mixture which goes into millions of emaciated devotees every year – contains animal fat. This claim has created uproar in the public, led to court proceedings, political discussions and deliberations, more so because the Tirumala Tirupati Laddu is considered as sacred by the devotees of the Lord Venkateswara.
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Since the times immemorial, devotees carrying out Tirumala Tirupati Darshan in the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple receive the Laddu. It is not just a candy but it is the offerings that have to be offered to the deity and are believed to have the grace of god on them. That is why any disturbance in its purity is called as an assault on the sentiments of millions of Hindus. The recent allegations about the adulteration of the ghee a product that is used in making the laddu have gone a blow into the tradition that is sacred.
Religious Importance of the Tirumala Tirupati Laddu
Tirumala Tirupati Laddu has its roots with the rituals of the temple for approximately 300 years. This laddu is offered to Lord Venkateswara and then distributed as prasadam and the practice ra’s from beginning of the 18th century. The Tirumala Tirupati Laddu is prepared from gram flour, sugar, cashew nuts, raisin and again ghee which is considered one of the holiest of all items in the Hindu families for preparing other puja offerings.
The making of the Tirumala Tirupati Laddu is still maintained with a lot of fanfare so that nothing goes wrong with it. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, the temple trust have been authorized to make sure that authentic and high quality ingredients are used in making the prasadams. The Prasadam, known as the Tirumala Tirupati Laddu is not only restricted to the distribution inside the temple but also retailed to the devotees in different parts of India and even in international markets. The Geographical Indication or GI tag only enhances the significance of it; it legally categorises it as a product exclusively associated with the Tirumala area.
Allegations of Adulteration
This brought about the root of the controversy, which in regard to contemporary society it stands as a cardinal sin.
The issue erupted when complaints was received suggesting that the ghee utilised in the preparation of the Tirumala Tirupati Laddu was mixed with animal fat. It caused controversy especially to the followers of the religion and the sect and stirred questions to the purity of the prasadam. Tirumala Tirupati Laddu contains ghee which is regarded as sacred for use in Hindu worship, and is an extremely popular offering among the pilgrims. It would be blasphemy to put a form of contamination in there and definitely with animal products is a strict no.
Such claims made political parties, religious bodies, and even the courts to be involved. The controversy grew very fast; TDP questioned the possibility of making available pure ghee at Rs 320 per kilogram which is the price at which the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams buy it. Initially, the TDP explained this to mean that the market price for pure ghee is higher and that since it is now being sold at this much cheaper price it may be contaminated.
Response from the Ghee Supplier/Supplier Response
The supplier of the ghee which is used in the preparation of the Tirumala Tirupati Laddu refuted the allegations of T-marketing of adulterated ghee. When questioned the supplier claimed that the ghee provided to the temple is pure ghee and it meets all the standard of purity. The supplier also stated that on the matter of pricing highlighted by the TDP, it is a Hermes ashes from the fact that the TTD purchase ghee in large quantities hence allowing it to effect lower price without comprising on quality.
Nevertheless, the dispute did not cease and some fundamentalist groups and political parties insisted on the carrying out of the investigation. For many devotees the problem was not only the quality of the laddu but the rights for religious freedom as well. Related to so many millions of people’s beliefs, the Tirumala Tirupati Laddu cannot be anything but pure and any doubts to this are considered to be a blasphemy.
Particular Political Reactions and the Place of TDP
Main parties in the Andhra Pradesh politics involved in the agitations are the Telugu Desam Party (TDP which is one of the main ruling party ). The party has raised doubts over the capacity of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams to supply ghee at Rs 320 per kilogram and wants more transparency in the purchase. The TDP said that ghee available at a lower price gives the impression that nothing right cannot be wrong and therefore the purity of the Tirumala Tirupati Laddu.
This controversy has now become political with many rival parties accusing the TDP for dancing on the sentiments of the people for their own political gains. But, the TDP has justified its stand saying that it has only tried to protect the religious rights of the devotees. The party has called for an inquiry over the issue to establish the fact that the Tirumala Tirupati Laddu remains holy.
Legal Battle
After this turn of events the matter was taken to the Supreme Court of India as the dispute escalated. The fundamental premise in the lawsuit is the state’s obligation to protect rights of religious believers; the applicants and respondents are ritual devotees and religious associations claiming that the alleged tempering with the Tirumala Tirupati Laddu is infringement of their right to religious freedom. For most devotees the tirumala tirupati laddu is something more than just a food item it is a prasad, a divine thing which has extraordinary power. Adding any other oil especially those derived from animals would be considered by them as a taboo to their religious practices.
Thus the Supreme Court has been called upon to reconcile freedom of worship and the right of devotees as well as issues of Corporate Governance, Accountability and Transparency in the procurement process of the Tirumala Tirupati Laddu. The case is well-known nationally, and millions of followers are currently waiting for the judge’s ruling. The decision of the case, may pose a threat in the future to administration of religious places and religious rights in India.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD)
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is the organization which manages the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple and which prepares the Tirumala Tirupati Laddu. The TTD has for the record defended the quality of ghee used in the preparation of laddus asserting that it usespure ingredients only. As accepted by the TTD, the laddu is made as per the traditional process and charges of thorough mixing of the Prasad with dirty substances are false.
The TTD has been equally quick to defend this process claiming that there is a procurement transparency and that the supplier whoprising ghee has been duly scrutinized that only the best quality ghee should be used in the making of the Tirumala Tirupati Laddu. Still there have been complaints from the political parties and religious organizations demanding that the TTD should do more to preserve the sacredness of the laddu.
Significance of Laddu in Hindu Pilgrimage Particular Supreme Shrine of Tirumala –Tirupati
So while consumed as a sweet it is actually a prasad for Hindus as they believe that it has the divine blessings of the Lord Venkateswara of the Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple. The prasadam called laddu is given to each individual who pays a visit to the temple & is now considered to be an emblem of Goddess’s blessings. Some of the devotees thought that the consumption of the laddu assure them of receiving prosperity and boons.
Besides, the Tirumala Tirupati Laddu has a symbolic function in religious Hindu ceremonies. Ghee, which makes a part of the laddu, is considered to be very holy and is used in prayers and other rituals. Apparently the ‘faith factor’, even the slightest use of animal fat in the ghee would render the product unavailability for Hindu religious purposes.
Religious rights are considered among the most vital fundamental human rights which must be protected.
It therefore becomes very clear that the most contentious aspect of this matter is religious rights. To millions of followers the Tirumala Tirupati Laddu is an integral part of their pilgrimage. The allegations of adulteration have even resulted to concern with regard to religious rights with any alterations to the laddu perceived as an imposition on the religious freedom of the Hindus.
The legalised fight on the Tirumala Tirupati Laddu has given focus that more attention should be given on the religious freedoms in India. As much as there is a need to ensure transparency and accountability in the procurement of Buddha images and ashes, so much emphasis has to be placed on the religious beliefs of the Buddhists. The outcome of this case will in fact decide further course of action for curtailing the religious rights in India as per the constitution.
Conclusion
The issue of Tirumala Tirupati Laddu that has been predominately under debate has also revealed the sentimental value that this Prasad has to many believers. Although the claims of food adulteration are still pending, the controversy has brought issues of religious freedom and rights and roles of the religious organizations in the country of India into question.
The consequences of this case shall not only reveal the future of the Tirumala Tirupati Laddu but may also define the scope of the religious rights in the country. For now, devotees of Lord Venkateswara look forward to the judgement of the court with the hopes that their much acclaimed Tirumala Tirupati Laddu will remain the beacon of purity and Gods grace to everyone.
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