Lately, the dairy cooperative Amul has started milk procurement activities in Tamil Nadu. TN Chief Minister MK Stalin wants this to be stopped. He urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ensure that the procurement is stalled forthwith in the interest of "regional cooperatives".
"The decision of AMUL to operate in Tamil Nadu is unfortunate, detrimental to the interest of Aavin and will create unhealthy competition between the cooperatives. Regional cooperatives have been the bedrock of dairy development in the states and are better placed to engage and nurture producers. Therefore I request Hon Amit Shah to direct AMUL to desist from procuring milk from Aavin's milk shed area," MK Stalin opined on Twitter.
The request, which sounds more like a demand from the DMK supremo, has been criticized by many. For many, the intention to disallow Amul just because it is a Gujarat-based brand mirrors a narrow mindset. "What next? We should have region-specific cars too? Instead of Hyundai from Tamil Nadu, folks in Mumbai should buy Tata cars made in Maharashtra only?" asked columnist Somnath Mukherjee.
"In the run-up to the Karnataka Assembly elections, the Congress party batted for the local brand, Nandini milk, and railed against Amul. A similar narrative is being attempted by the TN CM," a Netizen wrote.
