Tirupati Temple Denies Insect Allegations

A devotee reported finding a millipede in curd rice at the Tirumala temple during lunch, prompting strong reactions regarding food safety from both the individual and the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). The TTD dismissed the allegations as 'baseless and false,' asserting that such an incident could not occur unnoticed due to the rigorous preparation of their Anna prasadam for thousands of devotees. The temple authorities suggested the insect could have come from the leaf used to serve the food, while the devotee expressed concerns over potential health risks, especially for children. This incident comes amid ongoing scrutiny over the presence of animal fat in the revered Tirupati laddus, which has also drawn criticism from political leaders. Former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy defended the TTD, claiming that allegations surrounding both the laddu and prasad were politically motivated. The situation has heightened tensions among devotees, raising questions about food safety practices at the temple.