Controversy over Tirupati laddus, an alleged video of rats in the prasad packets of the Siddhivinayak temple here is doing the rounds on social media, sparking concern.
The Sri Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple Trust (SSGT), however, denied the allegations and said that they have launched an inquiry into the matter.
Speaking to PTI on Tuesday, Shiv Sena leader and SSGT chairperson Sada Sarvankar said, “Lakhs of laddus are distributed every day, and the place where they are prepared is clean. The video shows a dirty place. I can see that it is not of the temple and There’s been a shot outside somewhere.”
In the said video, the rat is seen on a torn packet of laddoos on a blue tray.
“We will examine the CCTV, and an officer of the rank of DCP will be appointed to investigate. Action will be taken against whoever is found guilty,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference earlier, Sarvankar said that the temple makes every effort to ensure that prasad is prepared in a clean place.
“Ghee, cashew and other ingredients are first sent to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation lab for testing and used after approval,” he said, adding that even water is tested in the lab.
“This means that we pay full attention to ensure that the prasad offered to devotees is authentic,” he said.
The video has surfaced amidst the ongoing controversy over Tirupati Laddu. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on September 18 alleged that the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government had used low-quality ingredients and animal fat in Tirupati laddus.
