Maharashtra is angry about eggs in school
Eggs have became the latest cause of controversy in Maharashtra schools due to many outfits not wanting eggs in school. Many Maharashtra outfits don’t want eggs in school.
The government of Maharashtra had intended to provide eggs to the school children during lunch to overcome many nutrition issues. The Maharashtra government had decided to give eggs to children under “Pradhan Mantri’s Poshan Nirman Yojana” or the mid-day meal scheme. The eggs will be served on 2 days in a week in the form of egg pulao or boiled egg. However, any child who chooses not to have an egg can opt for a banana or any other fruit.
Some people don’t want eggs in school due to religious reasons, while some others have a problem with the quality of eggs being given to school going children.
However many spiritual outfits like BJP, Manubhav, and Jain have many dietary restrictions on their adherents and they wish to keep these restrictions even while in school. Their leaders have said that the children who belong to these sects could feel deprived and can have many mixed emotions after seeing their peers receiving different kinds of food than them.
Akshay Maharaj Bhosale of the chief minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena’s Dharmaveer Adhyatmik Sena has asked the government to take prompt action and give another source of protein to fulfill their nutritional needs. He says that if the government did not have any intention to hurt the sentiments of their people then it should change the meal to a glass of pure milk or dry fruits instead.
Some of them like Mr.Bhosale said that it baffles how how can they name something after the prime minister who is a strict vegetarian and then allow foods like egg to enter the sacred place like schools. He also said that these meals will do more harm than good due to farm eggs having steroids and can pose many risks such as hormonal defects in growing children.
The supporters of the scheme claim that children should not be deprived of nutritious food just because some religious leaders have their sentiments hurt. They say at least the government is trying for a fix while many are just opposing it without providing a suitable alternative.
The controversy over eggs has been to other states and has come to Maharashtra after gaining a bit of experience after traveling pan India. Every one is focusing on their own agendas rather than the needs of children which should be primary target for anyone poking their nose into the realm of education.
