TMC MP accuses BJP of ‘imposing vegetarianism’. Photo credit: ANI, X
Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha leader Derek O’Brien on Wednesday criticised the BJP over reports suggesting eggs could be removed from mid-day meals in West Bengal schools, alleging that such a move would deprive children of nutrition and amount to “imposing vegetarianism”.The controversy erupted after social media posts claimed that eggs in school meals could be replaced with alternatives such as paneer and soyabean. Reacting to the reports, O’Brien alleged that the move would affect children’s nutrition and linked it to earlier political debates over food habits in the state.”After the fish-eating tamasha during the election campaign, the Gujarat Gymkhana finally reveals itself. New BJP govt at work in Bengal. Throw eggs at rivals. But deprive children of nutrition by taking eggs off from midday meals. Imposing vegetarianism. Bengal rejects this,” O’Brien wrote on X.The row comes days after the West Bengal government assigned the responsibility of preparing and serving cooked mid-day meals in schools under the Kolkata municipal corporation area to ISKCON.Amid growing speculation, ISKCON Kolkata vice president Radharaman Das issued a clarification, saying no menu had been approved and that reports circulating online were inaccurate. “It has come to my notice that some people are sharing the following proposed menu for the midday meal in Kolkata. However, I would like to clarify that no such menu has been finalized, and this list has not been issued by us. Once the menu is finalised, we will make an official announcement. Kindly refrain from sharing this incorrect information,” Das said in a post on X.The reports had fuelled concerns that eggs, a regular source of protein in school meals for many students, could be removed from the menu. However, no official proposal has been announced by ISKCON or the authorities concerned.The debate has unfolded in the context of the Centre’s PM POSHAN scheme, which was launched in 2024 by the Ministry of Education as the successor to the National Programme for Mid-Day Meal in Schools. The scheme aims to improve nutritional support for schoolchildren while encouraging attendance and learning outcomes.
