Shimla, 14 December
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Sukhu’s attendance at an event in Shimla has sparked controversy, as the food menu served to guests at the event allegedly included ‘wild chicken’, banned under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. was involved in
The incident, which came to light through an alleged video shared by an animal welfare organization, has drawn widespread condemnation from animal rights groups and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and calls for action against those responsible.
Our plan to solve people’s problems by going to their doorsteps, those who were upset with ‘Jan Manch’, are today going from village to village having a picnic and what are they doing, the public is watching everything.
Those who eat wild cock of a protected species are jailed and fined but… pic.twitter.com/NjtN0iDjXN
— Jairam Thakur (@jairamthakurbjp) December 14, 2024
At a public event in the remote Kufri area of Shimla, Chief Minister Sukhu attended a dinner where the menu included wild chicken, bichu booti (a local herb), corn and wheat rotis. Although Chief Minister Sukhu did not consume the wild chicken, it was served to the state health minister and other guests, raising the issue of illegal poaching of protected species.
Poaching of wild fowl found above 3000 feet in Himachal Pradesh is a punishable offence.
BJP state spokesperson Chetan Bharti demanded that Chief Minister Sukhu publicly apologize and take strict action against those serving wild chicken.
Our plan to solve people’s problems by going to people’s doorsteps, those who were upset with ‘Jan Manch’, are today going from village to village having a picnic and what are they doing, the public is watching everything.
Those who eat wild cock of a protected species are jailed and fined but… pic.twitter.com/NjtN0iDjXN
— Jairam Thakur (@jairamthakurbjp) December 14, 2024
Former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur also condemned the incident and called it unacceptable and urged the government to resolve the issue soon. He said that while the government claims to address the grievances of the people through programs like Jan Manch, on the other hand they are now attending picnics.
Thakur said consuming a protected species like wild chicken is punishable by jail and fine. However, the Chief Minister’s Office prints a list featuring the dishes and serves them to the ministers with relish. Currently, the government and administration have not issued any official statement regarding this matter. ANI
In Himachal Pradesh, hunting and consuming wild fowl is an offense under the Wildlife Act. The law provides for severe penalties and fines for killing wild chickens. Despite this, not including wild chicken in the food list of the chief minister during his visit is being considered as a big mistake of the administration. However, the Chief Minister did not consume wild chicken.
