Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and film actor Prakash Raj have engaged in a war of words over the alleged use of animal fat in the preparation of the Tirupati Laddu Prasadam.
Kalyan arrived at Kanaka Durga Temple, in Vijayawada on Tuesday morning to perform a purification ritual, as part of his 11-day 'Prayaschitta Diksha' where he slammed film actor Prakash Raj for questioning his secularism credentials.
"I am addressing the sanctity of Hinduism and issues like food adulteration. Why should I not speak about these matters? I respect you Prakash Raj, and when it comes to secularism, it must be mutual. I do not understand why you are criticizing me. Should I not speak out against attacks on Sanatana Dharma? Prakash should learn a lesson. The film industry and others should not make light of this issue; I am very serious about Sanatana Dharma. Many critics have targeted Ayyappa and Goddess Saraswati. Sanatana Dharma is of utmost importance. Every Hindu should take responsibility in this regard. If similar issues arose in other religions, there would be widespread agitation," Kalyan said.
Replying to this, actor Prakash Raj said that he is abroad for a shoot right now but will come back to reply Kalyan's questions.
"Dear Pawan Kalyan garu, i saw your press meet. What I have said and what you have misinterpreted is surprising. I am shooting abroad; I will come back to reply your questions. Meanwhile, I would appreciate if you could go through my tweet earlier and understand," he said on X.
On September 20, Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM posted on X about the Tirupati Prasadam and called to establish a 'Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board' at national level.
Tirupati Laddu Prasadam Controversy Sparks Pawan Kalyan and Prakash Raj Clash Over Sanatana Dharma
"We are all deeply disturbed with the findings of animal fat (fish oil, pork fat and beef fat) mixed in Tirupathi Balaji Prasad. Many questions were to be answered by the TTD board constituted by YCP government then. Our Govt is committed to take stringent action possible. But this throws light on many issues surrounding desecration of temples, its land issues and other dharmic practices," Pawan Kalyan said on X.
"Many be the time has come to constitute a 'Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board' at a National level to look into all the issues related to temples in entire Bharath. A debate has to happen at a National level by all the policy makers, religious heads, judiciary, citizens, media and all others in their respective domains. I think we all should come together to put an end to desecration of 'Sanathana Dharma' in any form," he added.
Actor Prakash Raj, in reply to this, said that the country has enough "Communal tension" and the Deputy CM is spreading apprehensions and blowing up the issue nationally.
"Dear Pawan Kalyan, it has happened in a state where you are a DCM. Please Investigate and find out the culprits and take stringent action. 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)" he said.
—ANI