This controversy erupted after allegations surfaced that wild fowl, protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, was served during an official program under the government’s ‘Janata Ke Dwar’ initiative in a tribal area.
Leader of Opposition Hits Back
Leader of Opposition, Jai Ram Thakur, launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led state government, accusing it of targeting political opponents and suppressing the media.
Thakur questioned the rationale behind registering cases against those who exposed the alleged wrongdoing, rather than investigating those responsible for hunting and serving the wild fowl.
"The FIR against Sudhir Sharma and media personnel is baseless and an attempt to intimidate dissenters. If a protected species was killed and served, why aren’t the real culprits being booked? Instead, those who brought the matter to light are being harassed," Thakur argued.
BJP Questions Financial Decisions
In a fiery statement, Thakur also raised questions about financial mismanagement under the Congress government. Referring to a ₹280 crore case during the BJP’s tenure, he defended the party’s actions, asserting that they had fought legal battles diligently and taken steps to protect state resources. He accused the current government of financial negligence and making compromises for political gains.
CM’s Explanation Fails to Convince Opposition
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while addressing the issue, claimed the mention of “wild fowl” on the menu was a misunderstanding.
He argued that in tribal areas, the term “wild fowl” often refers to free-range poultry found in villages, not necessarily protected species. However, this explanation failed to pacify the Opposition, which demanded immediate withdrawal of the FIRs and accountability for the alleged wildlife violation.
Media Crackdown Sparks Outrage
The BJP also condemned the registration of cases against journalists who reported on the incident. "Media is the fourth pillar of democracy. Filing FIRs against them is an attack on press freedom. This government must apologize and revoke these cases immediately," Thakur said.
Demand for Action
The BJP demanded a reversal of the FIRs and called for legal action against those responsible for serving the wild fowl.
“If laws were broken, book those who killed and served the wild chicken, not those who exposed it,” Thakur stated, as BJP MLAs staged a protest outside the Vidhan Sabha.
