Nadendla Manohar Seeks Religious Round-Table Over Tirumala Laddu Controversy

The controversy surrounding the alleged adulteration of Tirumala laddu prasadam has intensified, with Andhra Pradesh Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar asserting that the YSR Congress Party has “no moral right” to speak on the issue. Addressing the media in Tenali, he emphasized that the matter is not political but deeply connected to the faith of Hindu devotees worldwide. He described the issue as extremely sensitive, warning against attempts to convert a religious concern into a tool for political vendetta .

According to the minister, investigations conducted under the supervision of the Supreme Court of India and examined by the Central Bureau of Investigation -linked Special Investigation Team brought out shocking findings . Reports allegedly pointed to procurement irregularities and the use of adulterated ghee in laddu preparation during the previous administration. Manohar claimed that laboratory analyses indicated serious quality violations, prompting the present government to initiate departmental inquiries and legal scrutiny to identify those responsible.

He further argued that statements by YSRCP leaders regarding laddus sent to the Ram Mandir Ayodhya raised additional questions. Their admission that special ghee was sourced separately for Ayodhya, he said, indirectly suggested awareness about the quality concerns of ghee used in Tirumala. He alleged this implied that ordinary devotees may have unknowingly consumed compromised prasadam over several years an accusation the opposition strongly denies.

Politically, the issue has escalated into a war of words. Manohar accused YSRCP leaders of resorting to personal attacks against Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan after the matter surfaced. The ruling side maintains that the probe is aimed at restoring transparency and accountability , while the opposition calls it a diversion from governance issues.

As part of corrective steps, the state government has indicated plans for stricter tender norms , enhanced quality testing mechanisms , and the establishment of a dedicated food testing laboratory near Tirumala. Officials say these measures aim to prevent recurrence and rebuild devotee trust . Manohar also proposed a round-table meeting involving religious heads, spiritual scholars, and temple authorities to ensure that such incidents do not recur and that religious sanctity is safeguarded above politics.

The controversy now stands at the intersection of religion, governance, and politics , with legal processes underway and public scrutiny intensifying. While investigations continue, the episode has sparked broader debate on temple administration standards , procurement oversight, and the responsibility of political actors when matters of public faith are involved.