‘Social responsibility to protect Karnataka farmers’ interests’: Bengaluru hotel association calls for boycott of Amul products

Speaking to The Indian Express, Rao said, “We are not completely against Amul, but only opposing their move to sell milk and curd products in the Karnataka market, which can threaten our local Nandini brand. Amul already has a big market across India. It is the Association’s social responsibility to protect the interests of the dairy farmers, especially women, by using Nandini’s milk and curd products.”

The Association will also hold a meeting this week with hotel owners to create awareness about using Nandini’s curd and milk products and boycotting Amul’s products.

The row over Amul has also turned into a political slugfest with Opposition leaders like JD(S)’s H D Kumaraswamy and Leader of Opposition Siddaramiah attacking the Karnataka government for destroying the ‘state’s pride’, Nandini brand.

However, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai defended Amul’s entry into the dairy market and downplayed any threat to Nandini. “There should not be any politics over Amul’s entry. Nandini products are sold in other states too. The government will take steps to make Nandini competitive with Amul, in the open market. However, we will not block the entry of Amul,” said Bommai.

Nandini’s milk costs Rs 39 compared to Amul Taaza which is priced at Rs 72 per litre.

On Sunday, Congress leader Siddaramaiah hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a visit to Karnataka. “You have already stolen banks, ports & airports from Kannadigas. Are you now trying to steal Nandini (KMF) from us? Instead of giving 2 crore jobs a year to our youths, @narendramodi took away the jobs of Kannadigas from our banks, ports & airports. Now @BJP4Karnataka wants to hurt the prospects of our farmers by giving KMF to AMUL,” Siddaramaiah tweeted.

Prime Minister @narendramodi avare,

Is your purpose of coming to Karnataka is to give to Karnataka or to loot from Karnataka?

You have already stolen banks, ports & airports from Kannadigas. Are you now trying to steal Nandini (KMF) from us?#AnswerMadiModi #SaveNandini pic.twitter.com/LooivhuEn3

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) April 9, 2023

On April 5, Gujarat-based cooperative society Amul indicated its entry into the e-commerce space for selling milk and curd in a series of tweets.