'Animal Fat In Tirupati Laddus Hurt Religious Sentiments Of Hindus, Violates Article 25': Petition Filed In Supreme Court

The controversy over the alleged use of animal fat in the renowned Tirupati laddus reached the Supreme Court on Friday (20 September), with a lawyer filing a petition expressing concerns over Hindus' religious rights.

He claimed that the practice of using animal fat in 'ghee' violates fundamental Hindu religious customs and deeply offends the sentiments of countless devotees who regard the 'prasad' as a sacred offering.

The petitioner argued that the latest controversy, brought to light by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), reflected broader issues within temple administration and called for the protection of Hindu religious practices.

The issue gained attention after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu stated on Wednesday that animal fat had been used in making the laddus under the previous YSR Congress government.

The state government later referred to a Gujarat laboratory report that found traces of beef tallow, fish oil, and lard (pig fat) in the ghee used for the laddus by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD)-run temple.

In a letter petition to Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, lawyer Satyam Singh claimed that these allegations have hurt the religious sentiments of devotees, NDTV reported.

The use of animal fat in the laddus, the petition argues, violates Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to religious freedom, including the practice of religious customs.