Fri Sep 20 17:53:19 UTC 2024: ## VHP Demands Control of Hindu Temples After Tirupati Prasad Adulteration Scandal
**New Delhi, September 20, 2024:** The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has expressed outrage over the discovery of animal fat adulteration in the laddu prasad distributed at the Tirupati temple. The organization has once again called for the handover of Hindu temples to the control of society, citing the incident as evidence of government mismanagement.
VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal stated that the organization is vehemently opposed to government or non-believer control over Hindu places of worship. He highlighted that temples are the only religious sites worldwide under government control, a situation he deems unacceptable.
Following the revelation of animal fat contamination in the prasad, the VHP has demanded an impartial investigation into the matter. The organization’s International General Secretary, Bajrang Lal Bagra, has labeled the adulteration as a deliberate act aimed at hurting Hindu sentiments, and called for an end to such “attacks on belief.”
The VHP contends that government control over temples inevitably leads to political interference and the appointment of non-Hindu officials, ultimately resulting in such incidents. Bagra also cited instances of temple property misuse and encroachment, further advocating for societal control.
The incident has sparked a broader debate on temple management in India. While VHP advocates for societal control, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has suggested the formation of a “Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board” to oversee temples nationwide. The issue has also received support from BJP MP G.V.L. Narasimha Rao, who echoed the need for action against those responsible for the adulteration.
The Tirupati temple incident has reignited the ongoing discussion on the role of government in managing Hindu religious institutions, with the VHP demanding a fundamental shift in control to protect the sanctity and integrity of these sacred sites.
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