BJP objects to milk, chicken from same outlet in MP

The Madhya Pradesh government's new project to sell milk and chicken from the same outlet has snowballed into a big controversy here with the opposition BJP slamming the move saying it hurts the religious sentiments of Hindus.

The Kamal Nath-led Congress government opened the first such outlet here in Vaishali Nagar, as part of a pilot project to increase the earnings of tribal women.

Animal Husbandry Minister Lakhan Singh said that quality products are being provided to people under this project.

"People will get good quality eggs and milk from the same outlet. Tribals will get employment. Kadaknath chicken is also being sold at the chicken parlour which is only available in Jhabua and Alirajpur," Singh said.

Kadaknath is an Indian breed of chicken originating from the Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh, where it is known as 'kali masi'.

Objecting to the move, BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma wrote to Chief Minister Kamal Nath saying the new initiative will hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus.

"Milk and chicken are sold from the same outlet. This hurts the sentiments of our Hindu brothers and sisters. This is wrong. I request the government to look into the matter," Sharma said.

Sharma advised the government to open two different outlets instead, for milk and chicken - one some distance away from the other.

"Before the start of Navratra, the government must take steps to set up different parlours for milk and chicken. The government must issue an order immediately in this regard," Sharma added.

( With inputs from IANS )