Naidu's Heritage Foods faces boycott campaign over TDP's support for Waqf Bill

April 5, 2025 by News Desk

A storm is brewing for Heritage Foods, a well-known dairy and retail brand, after its founder and current Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Nara Chandrababu Naidu, backed the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill recently passed in Parliament. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), under Naidu’s leadership, supported the bill, prompting widespread backlash, particularly from Muslim communities that had once counted among the party’s supporters.

The Waqf Bill has drawn sharp criticism from minority groups, who argue that it undermines protections for Waqf properties—lands and assets historically preserved for religious and charitable purposes in the Muslim community. While the ruling BJP has framed the bill as a step toward transparency, many see it as an infringement on minority rights.

Now, the fallout has extended beyond politics and into commerce.

Social media platforms, especially X (formerly Twitter), are flooded with hashtags like #BoycottHeritage, with users pointing to the company’s ties to Naidu. Founded in 1992, Heritage Foods is one of southern India’s most prominent dairy brands and has a strong market presence in cities like Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Visakhapatnam.

The company’s rapid rise—highlighted by an IPO oversubscribed 54 times in 1994—was once a symbol of Naidu’s entrepreneurial acumen. But today, that same association is drawing anger.

Critics online are questioning how a leader who backed legislation perceived to harm the Muslim community can expect continued support from its members, either politically or as consumers.

“You can’t take our votes and destroy our Waqf land. We will not support your milk either,” one user wrote, summing up the prevailing sentiment.

Heritage Foods operates across various sectors—including dairy, retail, and agriculture—through its parent company, Heritage Foods Limited, and subsidiaries like Heritage Infra Developers and Heritage Agro Marine. The company’s customer base includes a substantial number of Muslims, especially in southern India.

The TDP’s support for the bill has left many of these consumers feeling betrayed. While Naidu has yet to respond publicly to the boycott, the online campaign shows no signs of slowing down.

Political observers say the backlash could have real-world consequences. “This isn’t just symbolic,” said one analyst. “If this anger translates into a sustained boycott, it could hurt Heritage Foods at a time when brand reputation and trust are critical.”

Whether the campaign will have a lasting commercial impact remains to be seen. But what’s clear is that the political cost of backing the Waqf Bill is starting to spill over into the business realm — and for Naidu, the consequences might go well beyond Parliament.