Even as the entire Hindu community is outraged by reports of beef and pig fat in Tirupati Laddu Prasadam, VCK head and Chidambaram MP Thol Thirumavalavan trivialized the issue by saying that animal fat in sweets is common, rubbing more salt on the wound.
A laboratory report revealed that beef tallow, fish oil, and palm oil were used to prepare laddus, distributed as prasad at the renowned Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati. The report’s findings indicate that the ghee used to prepare the iconic Tirupati laddu prasadam during the YSRCP regime contained traces of animal fat, including beef tallow and fish oil, leading to widespread outrage and claims of disrespect toward religious sentiments.
Speaking to a reporter after hoisting a 62-foot flag of his party near Madurai, Thirumavalavan said, “In most sweets or food products, using animal fat is normal and is a common practice across the world. I don’t know why it is being politicized. If it (Tirupati Laddu) should not contain animal/beef fat, then accordingly guidelines should be framed to prevent such occurrences in the future.”
Thirumavalavan is known for his anti-Hindu politics and for spreading canards about Hinduism. He had once called temple gopurams structures with ugly figurines. In 2017, Thirumavalavan called for the destruction of all Hindu temples and building of Buddhist viharas in those places.
In a book release event held in Chennai, Thirumavalavan said, “Building a temple is a business. I am not joking. Unlike any other business, building temples is the most profitable and provides the highest income. Which other business is more profitable than the income generated by the Tirupati temple? What are the temple’s income and expenditure? People donate money to the Tirupathi temple. People pour money into the Ayyappan temple.”
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