The protest occurred as the controversy continued to gain traction on social media platforms and in the midst of a political brawl over the topic, which has garnered widespread media attention.
Amul vs Nandini
Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activists took to the streets on Monday in protest of Amul’s recent announcement to distribute milk and curd in Bengaluru. They staged their protest at the Mysore Bank Circle in the city, calling for a boycott of Amul products to protect the Nandini brand of Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF).
The protest occurred as the topic gained traction on social media platforms and amid a political slugfest over the subject, which has garnered national attention.
Members of the pro-Kannada organization dumped Amul items on the road to protest the Union government’s ‘plot’ to merge the state-run cooperative with the Gujarat-based Amul.
#WATCH | #Bengaluru: Karnataka Rakshana Vedike protests to oppose the sale of Amul milk in Karnataka & encourage Nandini products. (ANI) pic.twitter.com/RAQ4sVMpPm
— TOI Bengaluru (@TOIBengaluru) April 10, 2023
Protesters also threatened to stop the sale of all Amul goods in the state if the firm continued to sell milk and curd in Bengaluru. Efforts to set fire to an Amul image during the rally were foiled by police, who also detained the activists.
Politics & protests over #AmulvsNandini intensify in Karnataka, now pro kananda groups stage a protest against Amul products in Karnataka, demand that govt should look to safeguard interests of KMF and nandini in the state. pic.twitter.com/du0U11XMGO
— Deepak Bopanna (@dpkBopanna) April 10, 2023
The Protest
Amul’s plan has sparked outrage in poll-bound Karnataka, with opposition parties like the Congress and JD(S) accusing the BJP of wanting to “kill off” the state’s businesses and banks. The BJP has denied the charges made by the opposition, claiming that they were false and that there was no intention to unite the two milk unions.
Amul Vs Nandini in Karnataka
Protest erupts in Karnataka over Amul's entry into the state. KPCC chief D K Shivkumar visited Nandini Milk Parlour in Hassan as a gesture of support for the homegrown & second-largest milk co-operative in India@dpkBopanna shares the latest updates pic.twitter.com/wD9nX5QVka
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) April 10, 2023
“There is no threat from Amul to the Nandini brand, but opposition parties have politicized the issue and spread false messages. Taking note of it, our party leadership is handling the issue at the national level. Our leaders in Delhi are speaking to GCMMF,” said cooperation minister ST Somashekhar. Quoted TOI.
#Karnataka: Pro-Kannada outfits protest against Amul’s entry into Bengaluru, Mysuru.#Amul #AmulvsNandini #AmulMilk #Nandini #Nandini_Karnataka #NandiniMilk #nandinivsamul #amulindia #protests #VideoViral #Kannada #Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/Q494tYImQU
— News9 (@News9Tweets) April 10, 2023
We will reach out to the people with a message that Nandini is the pride of Karnataka and BJP will never allow it to be erased,” BJP’s election management committee chairperson Shobha Karandlaje said.
