Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday called for a thorough probe into the alleged use of animal oil in the preparation of Tirupati laddu and said that authorities across India must protect the sanctity of religious spaces.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed concern, describing the reports of the desecration of Prasad at the Sri Venkateshwara temple in Tirupati as troubling.

The row began after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu alleged that animal fat was used in the making of Tirupati laddus during the tenure of the previous government.

Amidst the raging controversy over allegations of adulteration in the laddoos served as ‘prasadam’ at Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Friday said the reports of “defilement” of prasad were “disturbing”, and stressed the issue needs to be thoroughly looked into.

The remarks come after a lab report revealed that the laddus offered at the Sri Venkateshwara temple in Tirupati as prasad to devotees in Andhra Pradesh contain animal fats and fish oil, resulting in

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on September 20 (Friday) expressed concern over reports on Tirupati laddu prasadam. Taking to the social media X, he said reports about the defilement of the ‘‘prasad’‘ at Sri Venkateshwara temple in Tirupati are disturbing.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, which manages the temple, asserted there was presence of 'Lard' (pig fat) and other impurities in the ghee, citing a lab report.