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Shanti Homam, 4-Hr-Long Ritualistic Cleansing Held At Andhra’s Tirupati Temple Amid Animal Fat In Laddoo Row

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Shanti Homam, 4-Hr-Long Ritualistic Cleansing Held At Andhra's Tirupati Temple Amid Animal Fat In Laddoo Row

Amid the controversy over the alleged presence of animal fat in Tirupati laddoos, a four-hour purification ritual known as Shanti Homam Panchagavya Prokshana is being performed at the Tirumala temple on Monday. According to temple officials, this ritual aims to cleanse and undo any desecration that allegedly occurred during the tenure of the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) government.

Details Of The Cleansing Rituals

The purification ceremony began today in the morning, involving the establishment of three homa gundas (sacrificial fire pits) where the rituals were conducted in strict accordance with the Shastras, traditional Hindu scriptures. According to an India Today report, eight temple priests, under the guidance of three Agama Shastra experts, conducted the Shanti Homam, which began at 5:40 am and lasted about two hours.

Alongside this, the Vastu Homam was also performed, focusing on cleansing the space and ensuring the sanctity of the temple. This included the purification of all the vessels, machines and ceremonial areas involved in the preparation of the prasadam, a sacred offering at the temple.

As part of the rituals, the Panchagavya Prokshana, a sacred sprinkling with a mixture of five cow products (milk, curd, ghee, urine, and dung) was performed to sanctify the environment. These rituals are aimed at seeking divine forgiveness from Lord Venkateswara Swamy for the alleged sacrilegious acts, including claims that animal fats were used in the preparation of Tirupati laddoos.

What Is The Controversy?

The controversy surrounding the laddoos erupted after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu recently claimed that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were discovered in the laddoos served at the temple during the previous government led by Jagan Mohan Reddy. Naidu cited a private lab report from Gujarat, which allegedly found traces of beef tallow, lard (pig fat) and fish oil in the ghee used for the prasadam.

However, former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy vehemently denied these allegations, stating that no such violation occurred during his administration. He also accused Naidu of using religion for political gain, calling him a pathological and habitual liar. Reddy further criticised Naidu for engaging in ‘politics in the name of God,’ attempting to dismiss the claims as politically motivated.

On Sunday, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Executive Officer J. Shyamala Rao reiterated that the ongoing rituals aim to dispel any negative influences and restore the spiritual purity of the laddu prasadam, ensuring the well-being of the temple’s devotees.

Crime

Delhi Police arrest female drug peddler, seize ganja and cash

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New Delhi, Dec 23: In a major boost to the Centre’s ‘Drug-Free India’ campaign, Delhi Police have arrested a female drug peddler in Nihal Vihar and recovered 341 grams of ganja along with Rs 3.72 lakh in cash, suspected to be proceeds from the sale of narcotics, officials said on Tuesday.

According to Delhi Police, the action was carried out by a patrolling team of Police Station Nihal Vihar on December 20, following specific directions from the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Outer District, to maintain heightened vigilance against drug trafficking.

The team, comprising ASI Arvind, Woman Head Constable Yogita and Constable Sanjeet, was on routine patrol in the Adhyapak Nagar area when they noticed a suspicious woman standing near a house close to Pari Garden with a brown-coloured carry bag.

Police said that as soon as the woman noticed the patrol team, the crowd gathered around her dispersed, and she attempted to flee.

“On sensing the police staff, the crowd dispersed immediately, and the female carrying the brown-coloured carry bag also attempted to flee, but the vigilant team swiftly chased and apprehended her on the spot,” the police said in its press note.

Upon weighing, the contraband was found to be 341 grams of ganja. A total sum of Rs 3,72,830 was also recovered, which police believe to be proceeds from the illegal sale of narcotics.

The seized drugs and cash were confiscated on the spot following due legal procedures.

Subsequently, a case was registered at Police Station Nihal Vihar vide FIR No. 960/2025 under Section 20(b)(ii)A of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The accused woman was formally arrested in the case.

Further verification revealed that the accused has a criminal history and was previously involved in more than five cases under the Delhi Excise Act, police said.

“The Outer District police remain committed to eliminating narcotics-related crimes and safeguarding the community,” said DCP Sachin Sharma.

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National News

‘Stolen Symbol, Hollow Claim’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Attacks Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde’s ‘Real Sena’ Assertion After Local Body Polls

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Mumbai: The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) on Tuesday attacked Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde over his claim that Maharashtra local body polls have finally settled the debate over the “real” Shiv Sena.

In a scathing editorial in the party’s mouthpiece, ‘Saamana’, the Thackeray camp claimed, “The liars say, ‘Our Shiv Sena is real!’ But what is real and what is fake – the common people of the state recognise this. Those who dedicated their victory to Modi-Shah’s feet, the symbol ‘Shiv Sena’ does not suit those thieves. These same Modi-Shah stole the bow and arrow and handed it over to eight traitors in Maharashtra. The theft of Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha and local body elections has taken the form of ‘yours, mine, theirs’. The picture ahead will be different – we have no doubt about this.”

According to the editorial, Eknath Shinde has claimed credit for the work shown by the real Shiv Sena people. This is a hollow credit. His party’s claim of solid work in Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha and now local body elections is hollow. “Originally, the name ‘Shiv Sena’ and the symbol bow and arrow were obtained through Amit Shah’s pressure. The merit of the bow and arrow is significant, and Balasaheb Thackeray, the Shiv Sena chief, had established the ‘bow and arrow’ in every household. These ‘merits’ have been stolen and the real Shiv Sena is being talked about,” said the editorial.

It further stated that the dispute between Shiv Sena and the bow and arrow is still pending in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has given six months’ time for the Election Commission to make a decision. “Dates are not being set there, but after 40 MLAs crossed over to the other side and the decision was made according to law and constitution, Shiv Sena and bow and arrow are encouraging a decision on whose symbol it is!” the editorial said.

The Thackeray camp said that despite the electoral successes of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, legal disputes regarding the party’s “real” status and official symbols remain unresolved. It said, “The Supreme Court has scheduled a final hearing for January 21, 2026, to address the symbol dispute between the Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde factions. A similar hearing for the NCP symbol dispute is set for January 22, 2026. The year ends with political parties shifting focus toward the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, which are slated for January 15.” The editorial has even questioned the timing of the hearing in the court.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena alleged, “The results of local body elections are bought and sold through auction. There is no integrity or transparency found anywhere in these results. The ruling party has acquired the art of buying the machinery and voters, and people like Amit Shah kindly make them win elections by stealing the Shiv Sena and bow and arrow. As Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis vows to transform the face of the state following these results, the opposition remains defiant. They describe the current political state as one of ‘looting and deception’ and express confidence that the political picture in Maharashtra will shift in the future,” said the editorial.

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Ara–Sasaram passenger train hits rotavator in Bihar’s Bhojpur

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Patna, Dec 23: Panic gripped passengers on Tuesday after the Ara–Sasaram train hit an agricultural equipment (rotavator) on the railway track near Udwantnagar in Bhojpur district of Bihar.

The incident occurred at around 7.54 a.m., shortly after the train departed from Ara railway station.

According to a railway official, the passenger train left Ara at 7:44 a.m. Approximately ten minutes later, Gadhani Station Master S.K. Singh received information from the control room that the train had struck a vehicle on the railway track.

Fortunately, no casualties were reported, and the train did not derail.

Railway authorities promptly alerted senior officials, and railway staff rushed to the spot to manage the situation.

Passengers were safely evacuated and reassured by railway personnel.

Eyewitnesses said there was momentary chaos inside the train. Railway staff quickly brought the situation under control and shifted passengers to a safe area.

Preliminary investigations suggest that dense morning fog may have caused the accident.

Due to poor visibility, the rotavator driver allegedly failed to notice the approaching train in time. The agricultural equipment suddenly appeared on the track, leading to the incident.

The rotavator driver reportedly fell from the vehicle after the impact but escaped without serious injuries.

Railway officials said the train was moving at a controlled speed, and the alert loco pilot, who applied emergency brakes, helped avert a major mishap.

Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel later inspected the track to ensure passenger safety.

After a brief halt and clearance of the track, the train resumed its journey at a slow speed and later continued as per schedule.

The railway administration has initiated an inquiry to determine how the rotavator reached the railway track.

While initial findings ruled out negligence on the part of the train driver, officials have warned local farmers and villagers against bringing vehicles or agricultural equipment close to railway lines.

In view of the rising railway incidents in Bihar, authorities have ordered heightened vigilance in fog-prone areas and instructed staff to monitor track safety.

Railway authorities have urged passengers to remain calm during emergencies and follow staff instructions to ensure safety.

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