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Amid the Tirupati Prasadam controversy, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has called for the enactment of a strong national act to protect Sanatana Dharma and prevent actions that harm its beliefs.
Addressing the gathering on the "Varahi Declaration" in Tirupati, on Thursday, Kalyan said, "A strong national Act is required to protect Sanatana Dharma and prevent actions that harm its beliefs. This Act should be enacted immediately and uniformly enforced across the Bharat." "A 'Sanatana Dharma Protection Board' should be established at both the national and state level to oversee the implementation of this Act. Annual funds must be allocated to support this board and its activities," Pawan Kalyan added. He also said that Sanathana Dharma Certification must be implemented to ensure the purity of materials used in offerings and prasadam at temples. "There should be non-cooperation to individuals or organisations that defame or spread hatred against Sanatana Dharma. Sanathana Dharma Certification must be implemented to ensure the purity of materials used in offerings and prasadam at temples...I want to communicate to the highest judiciary that he is not innocent." Earlier on Tuesday, Pawan Kalyan asserted that his government will investigate the violations that happened in the last five years as it is not just about the Prasad issue. This came after the Supreme Court questioned Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for making public allegations about the use of adulterated ghee for the preparation of laddus, which were served as prasadam at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala. A bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan criticised the Chief Minister, saying there is no conclusive proof yet to substantiate that contaminated ghee was used in the preparation of prasadam laddus. "We are prima facie of the view that when the investigation was under process, it was not appropriate for the high constitutional authority to make a statement that could affect the sentiments of crores of people. In that view of the matter, we find that it would be appropriate if the Solicitor General assists us on whether the SIT by the state should continue or the investigation should be by an independent agency," said the bench. The row over the Tirupati Prasadam began after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu claimed that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus, the Prasdam offered at the Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, during the previous YSRCP government. (ANI)
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