Tirupati Laddu Row: Temple Authorities Refute Insects Claim in Prasad

Tirupati temple prasad controversy

Tirupati Laddu Row: A day after a devotee claimed to have found a millipede in his curd rice, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has rubbished claims that insects were found in the prasad at the Lord Venkateswara Tirupati temple, reports Hindustan Times.

Chandu, who travelled from Warangal to visit the temple, said as quoted by India Today, "When I raised the issue with the staff, their response was shockingly casual. They said, ‘It happens sometimes.’"

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“This negligence is unacceptable. If children or others were to consume contaminated food, who would be held responsible for potential food poisoning?” said Chandu.

On Wednesday, a devotee had claimed to have found a millipede in his curd rice when lunch was being served at the temple at 1:30 pm.

He had even clicked photos and videos of the same. Later, he was called by the temple authorities who first tried to downplay the issue and later tried to intimidate him.

Chandu said the temple authorities told him the insect came from the leaf used for serving.

Meanwhile TTD called them “baseless and false” and said the prasad was made fresh daily for thousands of people and an insect would have been detected.

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"TTD prepares hot Anna prasadam for thousands of devotees who come for Srivari Darshan and it is an unconvincing claim that a millipede could fall into the food unnoticed," their statement said.

They also said the comments against the prasad could be an attempt to defame the institution and mislead devotees from their faith in Lord Venkateswara.

This comes at a time when Tirupati laddu has been under scanner for allegations of animal fat in them.

The matter is being investigated by the CBI, who are looking into the claims of animal fat in the laddu under Supreme Court orders.

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