Amid the ongoing row over claims that the previous YSRCP government used animal fat and substandard ingredients in making Tirupati laddu, which is served as ‘prasad’ at the famous Sri Venkateswara temple, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan hit out at actor Prakash Raj for his remarks against fanning communal tensions over the issue.
This comes after actor Prakash Raj urged Kalyan to identify the culprits and take necessary action instead of fanning tensions. “Why are you spreading apprehensions and blowing up the issue Nationally … We have enough Communal tensions in the Country. (Thanks to your friends in the Center ),” Prakash Raj wrote on September 20.
After the lab reports shared by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam confirmed the presence of contaminants in the ghee used in the preparation of laddus, Kalyan emphasised that ‘Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board’ should be constituted at the national level to look into all the issues related to temples in the country.
Pawan Kalyan is recently observing an 11-day Deeksha, seeking penance for the “sacrilege” at the Tirumala temple. “I am speaking about sacrilege against the Hindu religion. So why is Prakash Raj getting involved? Did I blame other religions? Did I accuse Christianity or Muslims? Should I not voice out against the sacrilege and food adulteration? Shouldn’t I speak out if a misdeed was committed?” Kalyan said.
“People are saying that I should remain mute when sacrilege is committed against the religion I follow. They are saying that it is a threat to secularism. If my house is under attack, shouldn’t I speak? What possible conversation can I have when you are asking me to remain silent when my Sanatana Dharma, which protects all religions, is attacked?” he said.
The Andhra Deputy CM also criticized “secularists” for their hypocrisy, stating, “Prakash Raj Garu, you have to learn your lessons. I respect you. It’s not just Prakash Raj but all the people who think in the name of secularism you can go haywire. Let me tell you guys. We are extremely hurt. Don’t make a mockery out of our sentiments.”
“We are deeply hurt. It may be fun for you. It’s not fun for us. It’s a deep anguish, deep pain. Don’t ever forget. Think 100 times before you speak about Sanatana Dharma. Enough of this,” Kalyan was quoted as saying.
