Amid mid-day meal row, Suvendu says ISKCON will deliver ‘nutritious, corruption-free’ food

Amid widespread controversry over Bengal’s Mid-Day meal menu, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday defended the state government’s decision to entrust the implementation of the Mid-Day Meal scheme to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

Adhikari reasoned that the move was aimed at ensuring nutritious, hygienic and corruption-free meals for schoolchildren.

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Speaking at the Rath Yatra celebrations organised by ISKCON at its Albert Road temple in Kolkata, the Chief Minister said the BJP government had partnered with the organisation to strengthen welfare initiatives and improve the quality of meals served under the flagship school nutrition programme.

After offering prayers before the deities of Radha-Madhav and performing the ceremonial “aarti”, Adhikari formally inaugurated this year’s Rath Yatra celebrations.

Addressing the gathering, he praised ISKCON’s long-standing contribution to social service and justified the government’s decision to involve the organisation in the Mid-Day Meal programme.

The government’s decision has triggered a political and public debate since it was announced, particularly over concerns that ISKCON’s vegetarian menu does not include eggs, raising questions about the nutritional needs of children enrolled in government schools.

Educationists and public health experts have argued that eggs are an important source of protein for students from economically weaker families and sought clarity from the government on how nutritional requirements would be met.

Responding to the criticism, the Chief Minister said the objective of the Mid-Day Meal scheme extended beyond merely providing food.

“The primary goal is to ensure that every child receives a wholesome and nutritious meal,” Adhikari said. “Most beneficiaries of the scheme come from middle-class, lower-middle-class and economically disadvantaged families. Children from affluent families generally do not depend on this programme. Therefore, providing nutritious food is essential to combating malnutrition.”

He stressed that meals must be prepared and distributed under strict hygiene standards and asserted that there should be no scope for corruption in the programme. According to him, ensuring healthy food for schoolchildren remained one of the government’s foremost responsibilities.

Without naming specific individuals, Adhikari also criticised the previous Trinamool Congress government, alleging that the Mid-Day Meal scheme had been plagued by irregularities over the past several years.

“It is deeply unfortunate that allegations of corruption emerged in a programme meant for children,” he said. “Any irregularity involving food meant for students is unacceptable. ISKCON will ensure that quality, nutritious meals reach our children, and that is our responsibility.”

The chief minister said the state government’s collaboration with ISKCON was based on the organisation’s experience in implementing similar community food programmes in several major cities across the country. He expressed confidence that the organisation would successfully discharge its responsibilities in West Bengal as well.

Adhikari also indicated that the government intended to expand partnerships with other charitable and spiritual organisations for social welfare initiatives. He said the administration would seek to utilise the experience and outreach of institutions that had been serving society for decades.

“We want to work with ISKCON, the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Bharat Sevashram Sangha and other organisations dedicated to public service in rebuilding Bengal,” he said. “The government’s efforts become stronger when institutions with a proven record of social service join hands in welfare programmes.”