Amul vs Nandini row intensifies, cops detain protesters in Bengaluru

Amul vs Nandini controversy spilt on to the streets in Karnataka as police detained the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KaRaVe) workers in Bengaluru on Monday while they were protesting against the entry of the Gujarat-based dairy giant Amul into the State.

Hundreds of KaRaVe members gathered near the Mysore Bank Circle around 11 am and threw Amul butter, cheese and other dairy products on the road. The angry protesters also set fire to effigies of Amul and Amit Shah, opposing his remarks about Amul in Karnataka.

"We fear Nandini is going to be destroyed by Amul. We have more than enough Nandini milk and dairy products in the State. We don't need Amul products here," Da Pi Anjanappa, State vice-president of the outfit, was quoted as saying by Deccan Herald.

The controversy began in December when Union Home Minister Amit Shah said at a rally in Mandya, "Together Amul and Nandini will help set up primary diaries in every village of Karnataka within three years."

The issue picked up pace last week when Amul announced that it will begin selling milk and curd in Bengaluru.

The Nandini vs Amul controversy has become the latest flashpoint between the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress and JDS in this election season.

Opposition leaders such as former chief ministers Siddaramaiah and H.D. Kumaraswamy have urged Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to prevent the entry of Amul to protect the interest of the State's dairy farmers.

Accusing Congress of politicising Amul's entry into Karnataka, Bommai said: "We have absolute clarity with regard to Amul. Nandini is a national brand. It's not restricted to Karnataka. We have popularised Nandini as a brand in other States as well." He added that not only has milk production increased in the State but incentives have also been given to the milk producers.

The Chief Minister stressed that several major dairies of KMF in the State have been established during BJP rule. "Production and number of products have increased. There is a market too (for Nandini products). Hence, Nandini will become a number one brand in some days," Bommai said.

The Chief Minister said the State is selling Nandini in other states as well. "There is no need to be afraid of Amul. Our Nandini is an established brand. We will take all the steps to give Amul a tough competition," he pointed out.