NGO files complaint over ‘Jangli Murgi’ controversy in Himachal Pradesh’s Dharamshala

An investigation into the ‘wild chicken’ incident was demanded by a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, in a complaint submitted on Saturday.

The Chief Conservator of the Wildlife Department received a complaint from the non-governmental organization, which advocates for animal rights. The NGO’s head, Dheeraj Mahajan, said that the second schedule of the Wildlife Protection Act prohibits the killing of jungle fowl, also known as wild chicken or junglee murga.

“We learned that CM’s meal last night included a ‘junglee murga,’ also called a jungle fowl bird. According to the Wildlife Protection Act’s second schedule, jungle fowls are prohibited from being slaughtered or used as food. Since humans are meant to safeguard wild creatures, we also believe it to be ethically wrong. We strongly disagree with our CM, the head of state, if he advocates eating “junglee murga.”

In order to find out the truth and take action against anybody who has killed, consumed, or encouraged the slaughter or hunting of jungle fowl, we have come here to lodge a complaint with the forest department,” Dheeraj Mahajan told the reporters.

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, denied on Saturday that he had eaten wild chicken, claiming that he had been given country fowl but had declined.

“I don’t like country (desi) chicken, but the local folks were feeding it to me. A station was broadcasting this as if I was eating chicken. In the highlands, non-vegetarian cuisine is a part of daily life. In a video published by his office (CMO), Himachal CM Sukhu said, “Jairam Thakur is making statements on it.”

After guests were fed ‘wild chicken,’ a species protected by the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, on the dinner menu, Sukhu’s attendance at a recent function in Shimla caused controversy.

Animal rights organizations and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have widely condemned the event, which was made public by a fictitious film uploaded by an animal protection group. They have called for an apology and punishment against those guilty.

Chief Minister Sukhu attended a public supper in Shimla’s isolated Kufri neighborhood, where the menu included dishes including wild chicken, bichu booti, a regional herb, and bread slices made from maize and wheat.

Chetan Bharta, a BJP state spokesman, had already called on Chief Minister Sukhu to apologise publicly and take strong action against those responsible for serving the wild chicken.

In addition, former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur denounced the situation as reprehensible and urged the administration to act quickly to resolve it.