Madhya Pradesh private college brands chicken breed ‘Narmada’, sparks row; Brahmin community warns of stir | Bhopal News
BHOPAL: A pamphlet issued by a private college in Harda advertising the sale of chickens triggered a major controversy after listing one of the breeds as ‘Narmada’. The use of the name, considered sacred by devotees of the Narmada River, sparked outrage among members of the Narmadiya Brahmin Samaj, who registered strong protest and called it an insult to their religious beliefs.Members of the community, led by Ashok Parashar, president of the samaj, reached the office of the district collector and submitted a memorandum to the joint collector Sanjeev Kumar Nagu. They stated that the name ‘Narmada’ held deep religious significance and was associated with the goddess revered by millions, especially in the Narmada valley region. The controversy erupted after the college issued an advertisement for the sale of chickens, listing breeds named ‘Narmada’ and ‘Sonali’.
Members of the community claimed this hurt religious sentiments, particularly those of Sanatan Dharma followers and devotees of Narmada.Warning of stir over chicken branding College authorities claimed the names used in the advertisement were adopted from a poultry centre in Jabalpur, which listed breeds as Kadaknath, Narmada, and Sonali. The college claimed there was no intention to offend anyone. Institute director Rajeev Khare could not be connected for his versions. The Narmadiya Brahmin Samaj sought removal the name ‘Narmada’ from the chicken breed immediately. They warned of further agitation if corrective action was not taken.
