Tamil director claims impotency drug mixed with Palani temple prasad, arrested

Mohan G made the remark in an interview on a YouTube channel while speaking about the row over animal fat being found in the ghee used to prepare Tirupati laddus. 

In Short

• Mohan G says drug causing impotency in men was mixed with prasadam
• Made remark while speaking on row over animal fat in Tirupati laddus
• BJP calls director's arrest unconstitutional

Popular Tamil director Mohan G has been arrested for claiming that medicine causing impotency in men was mixed with 'panchamirtham' (prasadam or religious offering) served at Palani temple. Mohan G made the remark in an interview on a YouTube channel while speaking about the row over animal fat being found in the ghee used to prepare Tirupati laddus.

Mohan G, known for films like Draupathi, Rudrathandavam and Bagasuran, was arrested by the cyber crime unit of Trichy Police on Tuesday.

While speaking about the Tirupati laddu row during the interview, Mohan G said similar incidents happened in Tamil Nadu as well.

"I heard that medicine leading to impotency in men was mixed with panchamitham. That news was hidden and that panchamirtham was destroyed. We shouldn't talk without proof, but there was no proper explanation given. Those working there told me that birth control pills were an attack on Hindus," Mohan G had said.

Tamil Nadu Minister of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Sekar Babu warned of strict action against those spreading fake news regarding Palani temple panchamirtham.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Ashwathaman condemned Mohan G's arrest, calling it unconstitutional. He claimed that the director's family was also not informed about the reason for the arrest.

"No formal information was given to the family as to what the cause was and what the case was. This is against the Supreme Court order," Ashvathaman Allimuthu tweeted.

Mohan G kicked off his career as a director with the film Pazhaya Vannarapettai in 2016. He then directed the film Draupathi in 2020, which turned out to be a hit at the box office.

The controversy over Tirupati laddus erupted after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, citing a lab report, alleged that animal fat and fish oil were found in the ghee used to make the prasadam during the previous YSRCP regime. The lab report said "beef tallow", "lard" (relating to pig fat), and fish oil were found in the ghee sample.