Hindus in India were in for a rude shock on 19 September 2024 when results of the tests conducted on the constituents of the Tirupati temple prasadam were released. A laboratory report revealed that beef tallow, fish oil, and palm oil were used to prepare laddus, which were 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.
Don’t be surprised that someone had the temerity to toy with the sentiments of the Hindu community by going to the extent of adulterating the prasadam handed out at Tirupati temple.
When a community doesn’t stand together to protect its own interests, it usually ends up… pic.twitter.com/MtTTZVZ0El
— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) September 19, 2024
In light of this, a BJP Tamil Nadu functionary has come out with a shocking revelation that, Rajasekaran, the owner of the blacklisted company AR Dairy Foods that has been accused of mixing cow fat in the ghee supplied to make the iconic Tirupati laddu, was appointed as a trustee for the Palani Murugan Temple by the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government. It is alleged that Rajasekaran’s company, also supplies ghee to Palani Murugan Temple for making the panchamritham prasadam.
திருப்பதி லட்டு தயாரிக்க சப்ளை செய்யபட்ட நெய்யில் மாட்டு இறைச்சி கொழுப்பு, பன்னி இறைச்சி கொழுப்பை கலந்து விற்ற உத்தமர் ராஜசேகர்தான் (AR Foods ) பழனி முருகன் கோவிலுக்கும் நெய் சப்ளை செய்கிறார்.
திமுக ஆட்சிக்கு வந்த பிறகு இப்படிபட்ட ஒரு நல்லவரைதான் பழனி கோவில் அறங்காவலர் குழு… pic.twitter.com/4bayG1Yx8q
— Selva Kumar (@Selvakumar_IN) September 20, 2024
Rajasekaran, a key figure at AR Dairy Foods, has been associated with the temple trustee committee of Palani since 2022 as per the HR&CE website. Many devotees have raised concerns about the quality of the Palani Panchamirtham prasadam for some time, alleging that the deterioration in quality coincided with his appointment. Despite multiple complaints, temple authorities have yet to provide clear answers, raising suspicions of cover-ups.
AR Dairy Foods, based in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, is also under fire for its alleged role in supplying adulterated ghee to the Tirupati temple. Rajasekhar’s dual involvement with two prominent temples—Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh and Palani in Tamil Nadu—has further fueled the controversy.
AR Dairy Foods – Dindigul
Directors
– Rajasekharan Suriyaprabha
– Raju Rajasekharan
– Srinivasalu Naidu
– Ramachandran SrinivasanThese guys are one of the suppliers of adulterated Ghee to Tirupathi ! pic.twitter.com/jYS9WqHyMN
— KishoreIyer (@KishoreIyer5) September 19, 2024
The DMK government’s decision to appoint Rajasekaran as a trustee has sparked outrage, with critics questioning the integrity of temple management. Tirupati is revered as the pride of Andhra Pradesh, while Palani holds a similar status in Tamil Nadu, making the allegations all the more serious.
Devotees and religious groups are now calling for an investigation into the quality of ghee supplied to temples across Tamil Nadu, suspecting widespread adulteration.
However, the HR&CE has denied the allegations and clarified that only Aavin ghee is used in making panchamritham.
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