An affront on the Shraddha.
In an yet
another attack on Hindu sensibilities the state and the temple administration
of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam stands exposed because of the report of the
National dairy development Board in Gujarat which said that animal fat was
found in the Ghee which was used for the preparation of Laddu Prasadam in the
Temple. This has created a furore among
the millions of devotees across the Nation. September month is a period when
people through out India offer pitr paksh to their ancestors. Even people who
are Non vegetarians avoid taking Non veg foods during this month. This news
which has come during this period has created an emotional turbulence among the
devotees. Government has vowed that they will take stringent actions against
those who have committed this sacrilegious act. The Devasthanam has also
conducted necessary purification ceremonies as a Praya Chitta for this incident.
Millions of devotees are undergoing vrats to atone for the sin that they have
committed unknowingly. Though this is an attack on the sensibilities of the
devotees, they will not deter from taking further yatras to Tirumala. But one question
remains unanswered. This is not an issue of lapse in the quality control of
Prasada preparation. This is not just an issue of buying a cheaper alternative
ghee instead of the regular supplier. This is a calculated attack on the core
belief of the Hindu. The Devasthanam has got a state of art lab to check the
ingredients and see whether they are free of any adulterations. Every tray of
laddu, drinking water served as Jala prasadam and free meals given as anna
prasadam to devotees are tested and certified on a regular and random basis
every day without fail. How can this adulteration escape the watchful eyes of the
sophisticated labs is the question which rings in everyone’s mind. While many
Sadhus have appealed to the respective Governments to bring to book the
culprits, they have also assuaged the feelings of the devotees by suggesting
methods to get over this as this is an act of betrayal and devotees have not
committed any mistake.
This has also
prompted the deputy Chief minister of Andhra Sri Pawan Kalyan, to call for an
independent Sanatana Rakshana board similar
to WAQF for managing Hindu Temples. In the last three decades the properties of
Hindu Temples have been wrongly administered, many jewels have gone missing,
many Idols have been looted, many Idols and Temple spaces have been desecrated
by vandals and Hindus have vainly hoped that the administration will wake up at
least after this after each and every episode. Hindus are seldom allowed to
utilise the temple Premises for its intended purposes. Apart from this the
Hindu Society is also facing a barrage of attack in the social media platforms.
One has to see the Social media Posts to
believe the kind of vitriol that is been hurled at the Hindu society at this
moment of emotional turbulence. Communists and people from the Abrahamic
religions are sarcastic and crude in their trolls and memes and sullying the
already hurt minds of Hindus. And the sad part is no one from those communities
is seen condemning these deplorable acts. This derogatory trend has to be put
down by law in a stern manner. The deep anguish and pain of the Hindus will be
assuaged only when the culprits are punished.
V.V. Balasubramanian
YB-ET
