Amaravati : Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan announed to commit to unergoing a 11 day intitation at Sri Dashavatara Venkateswara Swamy Temple to atone for the alleged use of animal fat in Tirupati Laddu Prasadam given at Tirumala Temple in Tirupati.
In a post on X, the Janasena Party leader said that he felt guilty as he couldn't find out the alleged use of animal fat in Tirupati Laddu Prasadam earlier.
"Tirumala Laddu Prasadam, which is considered to be sacred, has become impure as a result of the depraved tendencies of the past rulers. Not being able to detect this sin in the beginning is a stain on the Hindu race. The moment I came to know that the laddu prasadam contained animal remains, I was shocked. Feeling guilty. As I am fighting for the welfare of the people, it hurts me that such trouble did not come to my attention in the beginning," Kalyan wrote on X.
"Everyone who believes in Sanatana Dharma should atone for this terrible injustice done to Balaji, the god of Kali Yuga. As part of that, I decided to do a penance initiation. On 22nd September 2024, Sunday morning, I will take initiation in Sri Dashavatara Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Nambur, Guntur District. After continuing the initiation for 11 days, I will visit Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy," he added.
The Janasena leader further begged God to give him power to wash away the sins committed by the past leaders.
'I beg 'God give me the power to wash away the sins committed by past rulers against you.'. Only those who have no faith in God and no fear of sin indulge in such crimes. My pain is that even the board members and employees who are a part of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam system are not able to find out the mistakes there, even if they find out, they don't talk about it," he said.
"It seems that they were afraid of the demonic rulers of that time. The behaviour of the past rulers who committed acts of blasphemy to the sanctity, pedagogy, and religious duties of Tirumala, which is considered Vaikuntha Dham, has hurt everyone who follows Hindu dharma. And the fact that ghee containing animal remains was used in the preparation of Laddu Prasad caused a great uproar. The time has come to take steps towards restoring Dharma," Kalyan added.
Earlier, in response to the ongoing controversy regarding the presence of animal fat in Tirupati Prasadam, Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh emphasised that "nobody will be spared," expressing that his own sentiments have also been hurt.
Citing a July report of the presence of animal fat instead of ghee in the Tirupati Prasadam Lokesh said that the analysis done by the government run lab "is clear" and that the allegations made by Anhdra Pradesh Chief Minister are "based on facts"
"Action will be taken. CM will make a statement on it (demand for CBI inquiry). Nobody will be spared but we will not drop this matter just with a CBI inquiry. Further steps have to be taken. We have to put a 'full stop' to this...Structural changes to ensure that this doesn't happen in the days to come have to be made, CM will announce the policy for it," Lokesh said while speaking to news agency.
Targeting Former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Jagan Mohan Reddy, Lokesh said, "This happens when the CM doesnt have a vision. We personally also feel very bad. We are going to streamline the process of investigation".
Regarding the late disclosure of the report, Nara Lokesh stated, "TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) operates as an independent body. The Chief Minister's role is limited to appointing the Executive Officer. It is an autonomous organization, and the report went directly to the Chief Minister."
The row comes days after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu claimed that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus, a sweet offered at the Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, during the previous Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) government.