West Bengal has witnessed repeated incidents of protest with eggs being thrown at TMC leaders during their public appearances since post-poll tensions escalated.
A fresh row has erupted in West Bengal over an alleged proposal to drop eggs from the midday meal regimen in the state. Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Derek O’Brien on Wednesday attacked the BJP over these reports. the The Rajya Sabha member criticized the said proposal and also linked it to the ongoing political clashes in the state which include throwing eggs at TMC leaders.
In a post on X, O’Brien said this would harm children’s nutrition and accused the party of pushing an ideological agenda.
“After eating fish Tamasha “During the election campaign, the Gujarat Gymkhana has finally revealed itself. The new BJP government is at work in Bengal. Throwing eggs at rivals. But depriving children of nutrition by removing eggs from midday meals. Enforcing vegetarianism,” he wrote, adding that Bengal rejects it.
He attacked the TMC leaders with eggs
West Bengal has witnessed repeated incidents of protest with eggs being thrown at TMC leaders during their public appearances since post-poll tensions escalated.
Read also | The real enemy of TMC is not the BJP, but white people. Another leader called Chor attacked amid the rebellion crisis
Among them, Abhishek Banerjee was allegedly targeted in Sonarpur on May 30 while visiting families affected by the post-election violence. The demonstrators reportedly chanted “Chor, chor“During the incident.
Later, TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh was also attacked with eggs outside former chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s Kalighat residence in Kolkata on June 16. Police later registered a case and arrested people.
Youth leader Sumitra Banerjee was also targeted with eggs while being taken to court after his arrest in a related case involving alleged attacks on BJP workers.
During the Assembly election campaign, leaders from both the TMC and the BJP were seen carrying or waving fish as part of their marches and door-to-door campaigns.
This included local candidates like BJP’s Kustav Bagchi and Rakesh Singh, who raised fish during public interactions, as well as TMC leaders who also used fish-themed images in their election campaigns. Mamata Banerjee has also repeatedly warned that the BJP will restrict people’s access to fish, meat and eggs if it comes to power. She described it as a threat to the way of life of Bengalis.
What did Kunal Ghosh say?
Kunal Ghosh, a victim of white supremacist attacks, raised concerns about the proposed changes. He said that this food represents an important part of children’s nutrition and is widely admired by students.
“Currently, eggs are served in the midday meal, but now there are indications from the government that eggs will no longer be included… Eggs are one of the ingredients that children love. Not only are they good for their nutrition and health, eggs are also very attractive to children,” he told news agency ANI.
Read also | NCPI merger, NDA numbers game; Another egg attack: TMC’s problems see no end | Latest
He said that if ISKCON took over the preparation of the meals, the menu could become strictly vegetarian, which would lead to the complete removal of eggs from school meals. Ghosh asked the government to reconsider.
Bengal LoP Comments
West Bengal Opposition Leader Ritabrata Banerjee has criticized the proposed removal of eggs from the midday meal regime, saying it will harm children’s nutrition and go against the eating habits of the state.
Talking about the issue, he said: “…When it comes to protein, removing eggs from the meal is not right, as it is an important source of protein. In Bengal, people traditionally eat non-vegetarian food. If that is taken away, then only vegetarian food will be served, which does not suit the food tradition of Bengal. We strongly oppose this move.”
Discussing the midday meal
The political controversy escalated after social media posts claimed that eggs in midday meals could be replaced with alternatives such as paneer and soya beans. The discussion further developed after the West Bengal government decided to entrust ISKCON to prepare mid-day meal in Kolkata Municipal Corporation schools.
Instead of eggs, there will be “highly nutritious” vegetarian items like soya bean, paneer and rajma, said ISKCON Kolkata Vice President Radharman Das.
“We are happy! This is an auspicious step for the children. We will provide high-quality, healthy, Satvik He said: Meals carry safety marks through our central kitchens.
But he denied reports of any final change in the list. He said the circulating list was incorrect.
“I have noticed some people sharing the following suggested menu for midday meal in Kolkata. However, I would like to clarify that no such menu has been finalized, nor has such a menu been released by us. Once the menu is finalized, we will make an official announcement. Please refrain from sharing such incorrect information,” he said in a post on X.
Government scheme
The mid-day meal program in schools is now being run under the central government’s updated framework, the PM POSHAN scheme. It replaced the previous national program of mid-day meal in schools. The project aims to improve nutrition levels among school children.
