Even as the controversy over the latest CBI-led special investigation team report on the alleged adulteration of ghee used in Tirumala laddu prasadam has triggered a sharp war of words between the Telugu Desam Party-led coalition and opposition in Andhra Pradesh, the unusual silence of Hindu groups and seers of various mutts has baffled the Naidu government.
Except a few Bharatiya Janata Party leaders like Y Satya Kumar, G Bhanuprakash Reddy and P V N Madhav, there have been no comments from any Hindu religious groups, including Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Chinna Jeeyar Swamy and seers of Sringeri and other mutts on the SIT report, which confirmed the adulteration of Tirumala ghee with various chemicals, if not exactly animal fat.
“There are various mutts on the Tirumala hills, exactly behind the Lord Venkateshwara temple. They get a lot of preference in the temple rituals. Yet, nobody has spoken seriously about the adulteration of ghee,” a senior TDP leader remarkes.
Amid the ongoing controversy, deputy chief minister and Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan questioned what he described as the silence of Hindus over the issue.
In a social media post on Saturday, he said every devotee has a religious responsibility and urged Hindus to shed what he termed as “complacency.”
Pawan Kalyan stated that while people have faith in God and respect for dharma, they often remain silent when Hindu deities or religious practices are allegedly insulted.
He called for a change in this mindset, emphasizing that despite differences in caste, region, or language, Hindus share a common faith and duty.
He asserted that expressing anguish publicly when religious beliefs are mocked is a moral responsibility and that silence in such situations may be perceived as weakness.
He clarified that protecting Hindu dharma does not mean opposing other religions but rather safeguarding one’s own faith.
Sources said Naidu is planning to convene a huge congregation of various Hindu religious groups, seers and other spiritual leaders to discuss the issue and come out with an action plan to prevent recurrence of such events in future.
