A Rajasthan school’s midday meal shocker amid CJP ‘audit’ row

The students, from Classes 1 to 8 complained of nausea, vomiting, stomach aches and dizziness about two hours after the meal was served. The meal included pumpkin preparation.

3 min readJaipurUpdated: Aug 25, 2026 01:14 PM IST

Over 100 students ate midday meal at Kota school. Two hours later, 21 land in hospital

Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar in Kota to meet the children in the hospital. (Express photo)

At least 27 children fell ill after eating a mid-day meal at the government-run Poonia Deoria School in Rajasthan’s Kota on Monday, prompting authorities to order an inquiry. Twenty-one children were hospitalised, officials said.

Of the 21, 17 were taken to a government-run facility while four were admitted at a private hospital. All 21 are in stable medical condition, officials said.

The students – from Classes 1 to 8 – complained of nausea, vomiting, stomach aches and dizziness about two hours after the meal, which included a pumpkin curry, was served. The attending medical officer said vomiting was the most common symptom and that most children experienced two episodes.

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The headmaster, Chandra Prakash, said the school had been dismissed and the students were preparing to leave when several began to complain of uneasiness. He said those displaying severe symptoms were rushed to Kota for treatment.

Angry parents

The mother of a Class 4 student said, “My son Rahul felt dizzy after eating the pumpkin curry and collapsed. He managed to come home but his condition deteriorated rapidly… so we brought him to the dispensary and hospital.”

She claimed no school staff accompanied them to the hospital.

Inquiry ordered

District Education Officer (Elementary) Roop Singh Meena visited the hospital to assess the children’s conditions and monitor their recovery.

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He confirmed the majority of the 27 children who were sick had recovered and that an inquiry had been initiated to ascertain the cause of the illness.

He also said the food had been prepared and supplied by Annapurna Sahakari Samiti to at least eight schools in the region, and that no other had reported a problem. The same organisation also supplies around 70 other schools with food.

Therefore it is too early, he said, to state the food was the sole cause of any illness. External factors such as extreme heat or contaminated water may have contributed to the incident, the official said. Lab test results will offer clarity.

CJP pressure

The likely case of food-poisoning couldn’t have come at a worse time for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, which is under fire from the Cockroach Janta Party over the horrific condition of state-run schools.

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RECAP | CJP claims ‘major win’ as Rajasthan clears Rs 18 lakh for ‘cowshed school’ building

Education Minister Madan Dilawar – called out after CJP volunteers were attacked while trying to inspect a school near Jaipur – rushed to Kota.

Parul Kulshrestha

Parul Kulshrestha is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Rajasthan. A lawyer turned journalist, she brings a unique cross-disciplinary perspective to her reporting, blending legal precision with deep social inquiry to cover one of India's most culturally and politically vibrant regions. Expertise and Experience Legal-Journalistic Synergy: Parul’s transition from a legal background to mainstream journalism provides her with a distinct advantage in interpreting policy, legislation, and judicial impacts. This expertise allows her to "read between the lines" of government orders and court rulings affecting the public. Diverse Beat: With years of experience across both mainstream newsrooms and independent journalism, she has built high-level authority in several critical areas: Nomadic Tribes & Marginalized Communities: She is recognized for her sensitive and in-depth reporting on the struggles and rights of Rajasthan's nomadic populations, often giving a voice to those outside the traditional political spotlight. Gender & Social Justice: Parul focuses on the intersection of law and gender, covering issues ranging from women’s safety and reproductive rights to the socio-economic empowerment of rural women. Environmental & Political Reporting: She tracks Rajasthan’s complex political landscape—including electoral shifts and bureaucratic changes—alongside critical environmental concerns like water scarcity and land use. Academic & Professional Pedigree: Her background as a lawyer, combined with her rise to the rank of Principal Correspondent at a national broadsheet, establishes her as a senior voice in the media landscape. ... Read More

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