Deputy CM calls for committee to protect Sanatan Dharma amid fake ghee scandal at Tirupati

The recent revelation of counterfeit ghee being supplied at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has sparked outrage among devotees across India. In response, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has urged the formation of a “Sanatan Dharma Protection Board” to safeguard Hindu traditions and religious practices. He suggested that the board should include religious groups, spiritual leaders, and legal experts.

According to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Supreme Court, the accused were involved in producing and distributing large quantities of fake ghee. The SIT report revealed that about 68 lakh kilograms of counterfeit ghee, valued at approximately ₹251 crore, were involved in the case. Of this, 37 lakh kilograms (worth ₹137 crore) were supplied to TTD through Vaishnavi Dairy Specialities Pvt. Ltd.

Pawan Kalyan emphasized that this ghee was used in the preparation of the famous Tirupati laddus, which devotees consider sacred. He noted that such incidents could undermine the temple’s traditions and the faith of millions of devotees. Highlighting Tirumala’s global spiritual significance, he said the Tirupati laddu is more than just a prasad - it symbolizes devotion, faith, and joy, creating a spiritual connection among devotees worldwide. The temple sees nearly 2.5 crore visitors annually, making trust and authenticity critical.

Meanwhile, YSRCP leader and former minister Ambati Rambabu strongly criticized Pawan Kalyan’s remarks, accusing him of politicizing the issue and diverting attention from real problems. Rambabu pointed out that Pawan had failed to visit or express condolences to families affected by past accidents in Tirupati, Simhachalam, and Kashibugga, questioning his moral responsibility as a public representative.

Rambabu also noted Pawan’s silence on the recent 1.89 lakh kilogram beef case at a cold storage facility in Visakhapatnam, calling it inconsistent for someone speaking on Hindu Dharma to ignore sensitive issues. He commented on social media, “Pawan Kalyan has finally appeared, not for justice or truth, but for political campaigning ahead of the elections.”

The incident has sparked intense debate in political circles, raising questions about temple management, the quality of prasad, and the faith of devotees. The government is expected to take further action based on the SIT’s full report, while devotees are demanding clear clarification from TTD on the matter.