25 years after it started, Bengal school scraps ‘separate’ midday meals for student of different communities hours after probe begins

Once the district administration learnt about the issue, a probe was ordered. “We sent an inquiry team to the school. Action will be taken on the basis of the report,” said Ayesha Rani, District Magistrate, Purba Bardhaman.
To address the situation, the headmaster on Wednesday held an over two-hour long meeting at the school, which was attended by teachers, villagers, panchayat members, representatives of district administration and the police.

According to an official, the practice has been discontinued and it has been decided that both the cooks would now prepare midday meals together and children of all communities will be served food together. Additionally, a self-help group (SHG) will soon be formed to cook midday meals in the school.

“School teachers, administration and police were there along with the villagers. We all made it clear that such a practice will not be allowed. We also spoke with the villagers. It has been decided that both the cooks (Muslim and Hindu) will prepare the midday meal together using the same utensils. According to rules, the children will be served food while sitting beside each other irrespective of their religion,” said Kanan Burman Pradhan, Nasratpur, Gram Panchayat (GP), under which the school falls.

“It has also been decided that soon a Self Help Group will be formed, comprising local village women, who will cook the midday meal in the school. All norms will be followed,” said Mahbil Hussain Mondol, deputy pradhan, GP.

Earlier in the day, the present authorities at the school and cooks claimed that the arrangement have been in place since 2000, when the midday meal scheme was introduced.

Speaking to The Indian Express over the phone, Headmaster Tapas Ghosh had said that, “The students study together, sit in the same classroom, but the food is cooked and served separately. This has been the practice for years. I joined the school a year ago and tried to intervene, but failed. Today, I called a meeting of parents and local panchayat members, to resolve the issue.”

“There is progress. This practice cannot be allowed. But nothing can change overnight. We are still trying to make people understand,” said Ghosh.

Former headmaster Govinda Bhadra, who served from 2002 to 2022, said the arrangement dated back to the early days of the scheme. “Initially, only one cook was employed. When objections were raised by one community, another cook was hired. I tried several times to end the practice and even informed the Block Development Officer and school inspector. But no action was taken,” he said.

Meanwhile, the cooks at the school also confirmed the long-standing arrangement. “I’ve been cooking for Muslim students since the midday meal scheme began in 2000. The utensils and plates used are separate. The headmaster tried to change things, but could not,” said Ranu Bibi, the cook assigned to Muslim students.

“The gas connection is shared, but everything else — from kitchen space to utensils — was separate. It’s disheartening, but what could we have done?” said Sonali Majumder, the other cook.

“My son and daughter study here and I support the decision. There should not be any division on the basis of religion. Children will play and eat together,” said Muhammed Sheikh Hussain, a parent after the meeting on Wednesday.