The simmering feud between Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and actor Prakash Raj over the alleged adulteration of the famed Tirupati laddoos has gone on the boil again. 

Actor-politician Kalyan, who is the chief of the Jana Sena and part of the ruling coalition in Andhra Pradesh as well as the Centre, had spoken out about the traces of animal fat in the form of beef tallow, fish oil, and lard (pig fat) allegedly found in the ghee used for the laddoos under the previous state government headed by YSR Congress chief Jagan Mohan Reddy. The allegation was originally made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. 

Reacting to Mr Kalyan’s comments, actor Prakash Raj had said that the politician is part of the ruling dispensation in the state and should focus on investigating the matter rather than stoking communal tensions. 

On Tuesday, Mr Kalyan went to the Kanaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada to perform a purification ritual as part of his 11-day ‘Prayaschitta Diksha’ (penance for atonement) over the adulteration and hit out at Mr Raj for questioning his secular 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 criticising me. Should I not speak out against attacks on Sanatana Dharma? Prakash should learn a lesson,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.  

“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 a widespread agitation,” he added.

Mr Raj posted a video on X, saying that he had been misinterpreted and would reply to Mr Kalyan’s questions when he returned to India after a shoot. 

“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 wrote with the video. 

Point, Counterpoint

On September 20, Mr Kalyan had said on X that many questions needed to be answered by the board of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) – the trust that manages the Tirupati temple – constituted by the YSR Congress government. 

“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 to be answered by the TTD board constituted by YCP Govt then… May 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 the entire Bharath… I think we all should come together to put an end to desecration of ‘Sanathana Dharma’ in any form,” he had posted on X.

Responding to the post, Mr Raj had advised Mr Kalyan to avoid “spreading apprehensions”.

“Dear @PawanKalyan…It has happened in a state where you are a DCM (deputy chief minister).. Please Investigate ..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,” he wrote. 

(With inputs from ANI)

New Delhi:

Social media was yesterday abuzz with posts that actor Prakash Raj, who has often been critical of the Narendra Modi government’s policies, will be joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. But the actor has issued a clarification dismissing the reports.

In a sarcastic post on X (formerly Twitter), the actor wrote, “I guess they tried. must have realised they were not rich enough (ideologically) to buy me.. what do you think friends #justasking”.

I guess they tried must have realised they were not rich enough (ideologically) to buy me.. .. what do you think friends #justaskingpic.twitter.com/CCwz5J6pOU

— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) April 4, 2024

The 59-year-old was responding to a post by a user ‘The Skin Doctor’ which claimed that “Eminent actor Prakash Raj will join BJP today at 3 pm.” The post, made at 2.56 pm, went viral within minutes and had raked up nearly a million views before the actor’s response.

In January, Prakash Raj claimed that three political parties are trying to get him on board for the 2024 elections. He said that parties are after him not for his ideology but because he is a critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“I don’t want to get into the trap,” the 58-year-old said at the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF).

The award-winning actor is known for his work in films such as “Kanchivaram”, “Singham” and “Wanted”. He had contested as an independent candidate from Bengaluru Central in the 2019 general elections but lost.

Voting for the Lok Sabha elections will be held across seven phases starting April 19. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.

Leh:

Actor Prakash Raj on Tuesday visited climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was on hunger strike for nearly three weeks here to demand statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

Raj, a vocal critic of the ruling BJP, extended his support to the Wangchuk-led protest and said when the governments do not keep their promises, the people have no option but to unite and raise their voice in accordance with their constitutional rights.

“It’s my birthday today .. and I’m celebrating by showing solidarity with @Wangchuk66 and the people of Ladakh who are fighting for us .. our country .. our environment and our future…let’s stand by them,” he wrote on X.

Its my birthday today .. and i’m celebrating by showing solidarity with ⁦@Wangchuk66⁩ and the people of ladakh who are fighting for us .. our country .. our environment and our future . let’s stand by them #justaskingpic.twitter.com/kUUdRakYrD

— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) March 26, 2024

Talking to reporters after meeting Wangchuk at the protest site, Raj said “we have heard from the people and the scientists that they have been promised (sixth schedule by BJP) and when we remind them (of their promise) they are seeing them as criminals”.

“They (politicians) are making big promises and generating false hopes at election times but later when they take our votes, they don’t look back for next five years. They have nothing to do with us, we are fools to trust their words,” Raj said.

He said the only way is to unite and raise the voice to seek answers from the government and its promises because that is the right of the public.

“If they have promised it in the manifesto and took votes but later betrayed, where will we go? we have to fight (for our rights),” Raj said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)