Sacred Temple Offering Scandal: Investigation Ordered

India's Supreme Court has mandated an investigation into claims that sacred laddu offerings at the Venkateswara temple were tainted with animal fat. This has ignited public uproar in India, prompting calls for accountability. The Andhra Pradesh government cites lab reports to support the allegations.

In a significant development, India's Supreme Court has directed a dedicated team to investigate claims that a sacred offering at the famous Venkateswara Hindu temple was contaminated with animal fat. The Bar and Bench legal website reported on the unfolding controversy.

The allegations, centered on the clarified butter used for the traditional sweet 'laddu', suggest it contained beef tallow, fish oil, and lard. These claims, brought forward by the Andhra Pradesh state government based on lab analyses, have caused widespread discontent in India, a predominantly Hindu nation, fueling demands for independent scrutiny.

The ancient Venkateswara temple has conducted a four-hour purification ritual as a response. State authorities, led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, support the court-mandated probe, distancing themselves from previous governmental policies. In contrast, former Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy denies the allegations. The investigation team will comprise federal and state police members alongside India's food safety experts.

(With inputs from agencies.)