Latest news with #Narmada
Hans India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Religious Groups Protest Poultry Advertisement Using Sacred River Name
A private veterinary college advertisement in Madhya Pradesh's Harda district has triggered religious sensitivities after featuring a hen named 'Narmada', prompting local communities to file formal complaints with district authorities. The controversy erupted when members of the Narmada Brahmin Samaj and other local residents discovered that one of the birds featured in the college's promotional material bore the name of the revered Narmada river. The community considers the river sacred and views it as a maternal figure that sustains life across the region. Ashok Parashar, president of the Narmada Brahmin Samaj, emphasized the religious significance of the river, stating that Narmada represents faith for multiple communities and serves as a life-sustaining force rather than merely a geographical feature. He argued that associating the sacred name with poultry was inappropriate and disrespectful to their religious beliefs. The objection quickly gained momentum, with community members organizing a demonstration at the district collectorate. They submitted a formal memorandum to Joint Collector Sanjeev Nagu, demanding immediate removal of the name from all advertising materials. The official acknowledged receipt of the complaint and assured protestors that appropriate measures would be implemented to address their concerns. However, the college administration has clarified that they were not responsible for naming the bird. Rajiv Khare, the institution's director, explained that the advertisement was promoting various poultry breeds available for sale. The names 'Narmada', 'Kadaknath', and 'Sonali' were originally assigned by the Jabalpur poultry center from which the college had purchased the birds. This explanation has not satisfied the protesters, who continue to press for the name change regardless of its origin. The incident highlights the delicate balance between commercial activities and religious sentiments in Indian society, where sacred names and symbols hold deep cultural significance. The controversy reflects broader tensions that can arise when commercial enterprises inadvertently intersect with religious beliefs. While the college maintains that the naming was unintentional and originated from their supplier, the community's response demonstrates the importance of cultural sensitivity in advertising and marketing practices. The district administration now faces the challenge of mediating between the college's explanation and the community's demands, while ensuring that religious sentiments are respected without creating undue restrictions on legitimate business activities. The resolution of this dispute may set precedents for how similar conflicts between commercial interests and religious beliefs are handled in the future.
India Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Madhya Pradesh: Hen named 'Narmada' in college advertisement, sparks controversy
In Harda district of Madhya Pradesh, objections have been raised over the name of a hen appearing in an advertisement for a private veterinary college. The hen in question is referred to as 'Narmada' in the advertisement.A complaint has been made to the collector and a demand has been made to change the name of the hen. Those objecting, including the Narmada Brahmin Samaj, have said that their religion considers the Narmada river as a life-giving mother and so, naming a hen after it is not memorandum has been received expressing objection to the name of the hen. Necessary action will be taken on this," said Sanjeev Nagu, the joint collector. The president of the Narmada Brahmin Samaj, Ashok Parashar, made the group's demands clear, saying, "People from different communities have objected to the advertisement for a college. Maa Narmada is a symbol of faith for all of us. She is not just a river, she is the life-giver of all of us. Naming a hen after her is not appropriate. Remove the name from the advertisement immediately."In response to the growing outrage over the advertisement, Rajiv Khare, the college director, noted that it was not the college that named the bird. The advertisement in question was for the sale of various hens. The poultry centre in Jabalpur, from where the hens were purchased, named them Narmada, Kadaknath and Sonali, Khare people in the town, led by Parashar, marched to the Collectorate, demanding a change in the name and submitted a memorandum to the joint collector.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Madhya Pradesh
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Madhya Pradesh private college brands chicken breed 'Narmada', sparks row; Brahmin community warns of stir
A controversy erupted in Harda after a private college advertised chickens for sale, listing one breed as 'Narmada'. The Narmadiya Brahmin Samaj protested, deeming it an insult to the sacred Narmada River. 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.
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
House panel meeting ends as MPs object to Patkar, Raj's presence
A parliamentary committee meeting to review the implementation of the land acquisition law was cancelled on Tuesday after some members, mostly from the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), objected to the presence of activist Medha Patkar and actor-turned-activist Prakash Raj, people aware of the details said. People aware of the matter said some NDA members particularly objected to the presence of activist Medha Patkar, citing her role in the Narmada Bachao campaign. (HT Photo) Representatives of the department of land resources (ministry of rural development); ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC); ministry of tribal affairs; non-government organisations (NGOs), experts; and other stakeholders were to speak before the parliamentary standing committee on rural development and panchayati Raj on the implementation and effectiveness of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, a person privy to the detail said on condition of anonymity. 'When the proceedings were about to begin, some members objected to the presence of Patkar and Raj, pointing out that they had not been informed about their presence,' the person cited above said. 'Then 11 MPs, mostly from the NDA, walked out and in the absence of quorum, the meeting was cancelled and is likely to be held on July 14.' The person said some NDA members particularly objected to the presence of Patkar, citing her role in the Narmada Bachao campaign. 'They felt she was responsible for trying to block the Narmada project which would have left one-third of Gujarat parched and drought affected…' the person said. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker from Bihar, Sanjay Jaiswal, said members of the committee had not been informed about the involvement of Patkar and Raj. 'We were told the ministries and some NGOs will put forth their views. There was no explanation on why Patkar and Raj were invited for the meeting, which we eventually boycotted,' he said. The standing committee, headed by Congress MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, has 29 members, including former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda –– who was present for Tuesday's meeting. Ulaka said the two were invited to the meeting to hear their views on the legislation. 'It is a standard practice to hear people from civil society. We had invited them to share their views on how to strengthen the Act… they would have submitted their views without being privy to the submissions made by the ministry representatives,' he said, adding that the list of invitees had been shared with the Speaker's Office in advance as per protocol. 'What were the NDA MPs scared of… we could have heard the two and the report would eventually be drafted after consensus between the committee members,' he further said. The meeting's agenda was to discuss the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, which regulates land acquisition and lays down the procedure and rules for granting compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement to people affected by the acquisition. The legislation has provisions to provide fair compensation to those whose land is taken away and assures rehabilitation of those affected.
Hindustan Times
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
NDA MPs object to Medha Patkar, Prakash Raj at parliamentary committee meeting
Members of a parliamentary committee on Tuesday opposed the presence of activist Medha Patkar and actor Prakash Raj during a meeting convened to discuss issues related to fair compensation and transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. The Parliament House in New Delhi. (ANI File Photo) The meeting was subsequently cancelled, people aware of the developments said. One of the persons cited above said representatives of the ministries of rural development (Department of Land Resources), environment, forest and climate change, and tribal affairs, non-government organisations, experts and other stakeholders were to speak before the committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj. 'When the proceedings were about to begin, some members objected to the presence of Patkar and Raj, pointing out that they had not been informed. Later, 11 MPs, mostly from the National Democratic Alliance, walked out and in the absence of quorum the meeting was cancelled and is likely to be held on July 14,' a person aware of the details said. The committee, headed by Congress MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka from Odisha's Koraput, has 29 members, including former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, who was present on Tuesday. The person cited above said some of the NDA members objected to Patkar in particular, given her role in the Narmada Bachao campaign. 'They felt she was responsible for trying to block the Narmada project which would have left one-third of Gujarat parched and drought affected…' the person said. The Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 regulates land acquisition and lays down the procedure and rules for granting compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement to the persons affected by the acquisition. The Act has provisions to provide fair compensation to those whose land is taken away and assures rehabilitation of those affected. 'We were told the ministries (rural development, environment, forest and climate change and tribal affairs) and some NGOs will put forth their views. There was no explanation on why Patkar and Raj were invited for the meeting, which we eventually boycotted,' Bihar BJP lawmaker Sanjay Jaiswal said. Ulaka defended it and said, 'It is a standard practice to hear people from the civil society. We had invited them to share their views on how to strengthen the Act…they would have submitted their views without being privy to the submissions made by the ministry representatives.' Ulaka said the list of invitees had been shared with the Speaker's Office in advance as per the protocol. 'What were the NDA MPs scared of? We could have heard the two and the report would eventually be drafted after consensus between the committee members,' he added.
