Himachal: After Samosa Row, Himachal CM Sukhu Faces Backlash Over ‘Jungli Murga’ Remark, BJP Demands Apology

Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur accused the Chief Minister of not only including the protected species on the menu but also encouraging others to eat it. 

Himachal Pradesh BJP leaders demand apology from Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for allegedly encouraging his associates to eat an endangered Grey Junglefowl (Jungli Murga)

Source : अंकुश डोभाल

BJP leaders in Himachal Pradesh demanded an apology from Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for reportedly encouraging his associates to eat an endangered species "Jungli Murga" (Grey Junglefowl) in a remote area in the Shimla district, as per the report by news agency PTI.

In response, Sukhu stated that he does not eat oily and non-vegetarian food due to health issues. He further added that eating non-vegetarian food is a way of life in villages and lashed out at the opposition leaders for making an issue out of it.

"What should I say about something that did not happen? It was not a wild chicken, it is their tribal culture. When I said I don't consume non-veg food, they said it's not a store-bought chicken, it's from their village, a country chicken. We didn't go there to eat, we went there to listen to people's problems. BJP has no issues to highlight so they are picking up bizarre issues like this, " ANI quoted Sukhu as saying.

#WATCH | Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh: On reports of 'wild chicken' served to him, CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu says, "What should I say about something that did not happen? It was not a wild chicken, it is their tribal culture. When I said I don't consume non-veg food, they said… pic.twitter.com/4t0Sa5w76G

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

The BJP has criticised after a viral video showed him commenting on the menu during a dinner in Shimla's remote Tikkar area. In the video, Sukhu is heard saying, "Inko do Jungli Murga, hume thodi khana hai (Give them Jungli Murga, I don't want to eat)" while asking his companions if they wanted to try the dish.

The moment was captured in the remote Tikkar area of Shimla district, showing the CM having dinner with Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandi and other officials on Friday night.

🚨ABUSE OF POWER… SHAME‼️#HimachalPradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is enjoying ‘Jungli Murga’ (Protected animal under wildlife act) with his party leaders and ministers.

Such abuse of law by the states Chief Minister is only possible in Congress culture.😡 pic.twitter.com/RDhJF49tZl

— Amitabh Chaudhary (@MithilaWaala) December 14, 2024

In response, BJP spokesperson and state social media in-charge Chetan Bragata issued a statement on Saturday saying, "Jungli Murga (Grey Junglefowl) is an endangered species listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2022. Hunting and eating this species is illegal."

CID On Samosa Enquiry Report

Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur accused the Chief Minister of not only including the protected species on the menu but also encouraging others to eat it. 

Whereas, BJP MLA from Dharamshala, Sudhir Sharma, stated that while the CID is still on the samosa enquiry report, another controversy has surfaced regarding the serving of "Jungli Murga." He called for action from the forest department in this matter. The mix-up involving three boxes of samosas and cakes being mistakenly served to the Chief Minister's security staff instead of him during an event on October 21 has escalated in importance, with a CID investigation labelling the incident as an "anti-government" act.

Sukhu responded to news agency PTI by saying, "The villagers served the chicken for dinner, but I refused as I do not eat it and now Jai Ram Thakur is making an issue out of it." "I do not eat oily and non-vegetarian food due to health reasons," he added, criticising opposition leaders for trying to tarnish the reputation of the villagers.

Despite the legal protection for the Grey Junglefowl, its hunting and consumption are reportedly common in rural Himachal Pradesh, especially during winters.