21,000 Litres of Ghee Spilled as Tirumala Tanker Overturns, Villagers Rush With Buckets - Watch

A tanker transporting ghee from Pune to the Tirumala temple overturned near the Chitravathi bridge in Kondapuram mandal in Kadapa district on Sunday night.

The accident led to the spillage of nearly 21,000 litres of ghee, a consignment intended for temple offerings. Police reported that the driver lost control of the vehicle shortly after crossing the bridge, causing it to topple. Both the driver and cleaner sustained minor injuries.

As news spread, locals rushed to the site carrying buckets and containers to collect the spilled ghee before authorities arrived. Police later intervened to restore order and prevent further collection. A case has been registered, and investigations are underway.

Videos of people collecting the spilled ghee from the ground have gone viral on social media sites.

Social Media Reactions

Videos of villagers scooping up ghee quickly went viral, sparking heated debate online. Some users described the incident as "looting," while others strongly objected to the term. Critics argued that calling it looting unfairly stigmatized impoverished villagers who were simply salvaging what would otherwise be wasted.

One user remarked, "It's not looting. The ghee had already spilled; they were just fetching what was left." Another added, "Looting is a harsh word. For people who struggle to afford basic food items, ghee is a rare luxury. Collecting it reflects poverty more than criminality."

Others took a more philosophical stance. A commentator noted, "The word 'loot' was borrowed from India by the British, and here we are living it literally-from discarded sweets to spilled ghee." Another pointed out the irony: "Who needs a temple visit when prasadam ingredients come to your doorstep via a roadside rollover? At this rate, the only thing thicker than the ghee is the irony of calling it looting."

The incident highlighted deeper social realities. For many, ghee is not just a cooking ingredient but a symbol of prosperity and devotion, especially when destined for Tirumala temple's famed laddus. Witnesses described the scene as both tragic and surreal-a sacred offering turned into a roadside scramble.

Some netizens emphasized the economic loss. With ghee priced between ₹475 and ₹716 per kilogram, the estimated value of the spilled consignment ranged from ₹1 crore to ₹1.5 crore. Yet, others argued that once contaminated, the ghee was unfit for temple use, making villagers' collection a practical response rather than theft.

Poverty vs. Perception

The debate underscored the tension between perception and reality. While outsiders saw opportunism, locals saw necessity. "Poverty at its peak-that's it," one user bluntly stated. Another defended the villagers: "What's the alternative? Let the ghee flow into drains? Better to collect it than waste it. Using the word 'loot' demeans the locals as thieves."