Amul files complaint against X users for linking it to Tirupati laddoos row

Amul has lodged a complaint with the Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Police Station against false claims made on social media, alleging that the company supplied the ghee used in the Tirupati temple's laddoos.

In Short

• False reports claim Amul supplied ghee for Tirupati laddoos
• Amul clarifies it never supplied ghee to Tirupati temple
• In its complaint, Amul said the misinformation could impact 3.6 million farmers' families

Amul has lodged a complaint with the Cyber Crime Police Station in Ahmedabad following false reports claiming that the ghee used in the Tirupati temple's laddoos was supplied by the company. The complaint alleged that misinformation was spread to damage Amul’s reputation. The development comes amid a row over the presence of animal fat in laddoos offered as prasadam at the famous temple.

The complaint states that certain individuals posted misleading information on social media with the intent to defame Amul, falsely claiming that the ghee used in the prasadam was supplied by the company. In response, Amul filed a complaint with the Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch.

Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) Managing Director, Jayen Mehta, addressed the issue, saying, "There have been posts circulating for several days alleging that the ghee used in Tirupati temple's laddoos was adulterated, with some claiming that the ghee was supplied by Amul. I want to clarify that Amul has never supplied ghee to Tirupati Devasthanam. Those trying to drag Amul into this controversy and tarnish its reputation are the reason we filed an FIR with Ahmedabad Cyber Crime".

"Amul is owned by 3.6 million farmers' families. This false propaganda and misinformation could severely impact their livelihood, which is why we have taken legal action to stop the spread of this misinformation. Since the controversy arose, we have also used our social media platforms to inform people that Amul has never supplied ghee to Tirupati Devasthanam. Our products are of the highest quality, passing all standards, and we have been delivering premium ghee to consumers for years," Mehta further added.

Yesterday, Amul issued a public clarification on social media, stating that the company is not involved in the Tirupati laddoos controversy and has not supplied any products related to the issue.

A massive row erupted on September 19 after Chandrababu Naidu claimed that the previous YSRCP government under Jagan Mohan Reddy did not even spare the Sri Venkateswara temple and used substandard ingredients and animal fat for making laddoos. A subsequent lab report also confirmed the presence of animal fat in the laddoos distributed to the devotees of the shrine.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has termed it a "serious issue" and demanded punishment for those who used animal fat in Tirupati laddoos.