Kuala Lumpur – Indian billionaire Anant Ambani, son of Asia’s wealthiest tycoon Mukesh Ambani, has become the target of social media ridicule in India after announcing a decision to stop selling live chickens at his family’s retail chain, JioMart Fresh. The move, intended to promote animal welfare, drew backlash as netizens pointed out that the company continues to sell packaged chicken products — sparking debates about ethical consistency in corporate practices.
A Compassionate Gesture or Corporate Contradiction?
Anant Ambani, a prominent animal rights advocate and founder of the Vantara animal rescue initiative, recently declared that Reliance Retail would discontinue live poultry sales in select cities to reduce cruelty. The decision aligns with his philanthropic image and follows his high-profile efforts to rehabilitate injured and endangered animals.
However, the policy shift faced sharp criticism when Indian social media personality Neha Singh Rathore posted a satirical video mocking Ambani. Set to a catchy folk tune, her reel quipped: “Save chickens on one side, sell them on the other! JioMart Fresh keeps profits rolling, Anant Bhaiya!” The jab highlighted the irony of promoting animal welfare while still profiting from packaged poultry.
Malaysian Netizens Weigh In
While the controversy unfolded in India, Malaysian social media users joined the discussion, drawing parallels to local debates about corporate responsibility. “It’s like a company banning plastic straws but still dumping waste into rivers,” commented one Facebook user. Others, however, defended Ambani’s step as progressive. “Change starts somewhere. At least he’s raising awareness,” argued another.
Reliance Retail, which operates JioMart Fresh, clarified that the decision reflects “evolving consumer preferences for ethically sourced products.” The company emphasized that packaged chicken meets “strict quality standards,” though critics argue the move is more symbolic than substantive.
Bigger Than Chickens: A Global Ethics Debate
The incident underscores growing global scrutiny of businesses’ environmental and ethical commitments. In Malaysia, similar discussions have emerged around palm oil sustainability, factory farming, and greenwashing claims. Ambani’s case serves as a reminder that consumers increasingly demand transparency — and are quick to call out perceived contradictions.
Anant Ambani, set to marry fiancée Radhika Merchant in a lavish July wedding, has yet to respond to the backlash. For now, the debate rages on: Can corporations balance profit and ethics, or are such initiatives merely PR stunts? As one Malaysian netizen put it: “Actions speak louder than mission statements.”
What’s Next?
With JioMart Fresh unlikely to halt poultry sales entirely, the focus shifts to whether Reliance will expand its ethical policies — or if public pressure forces stronger changes. For Malaysian businesses, the saga offers a lesson: In today’s connected world, every decision risks going viral.
