Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Sep 22: The Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation's education department has issued a show-cause notice to Tapovan Vidyalaya in Bhayander after a complaint that a student was fined Rs 50 for bringing fenugreek vegetable in the lunchbox during the Paryushan period.
According to the complaint, the student had brought a dish prepared with green fenugreek leaves for lunch. A remark was reportedly made in the student's diary stating that bringing green fenugreek in the lunchbox was not permitted and that the student was provided food from the school canteen instead. The student was also allegedly charged Rs 50.
However, another report by Loksatta said the amount charged was Rs 20, rather than Rs 50. The discrepancy in the reported amount has not been independently resolved.
The incident took place at Tapovan Vidyalaya in the Indralok area of Bhayander. According to Maharashtra Times, the school has a large number of students from the Jain community, and parents are reportedly informed at the time of admission not to send non-vegetarian food and root vegetables in their children's lunchboxes.
The matter came to light after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) office-bearer Robert D'Souza complained to the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation. He alleged that imposing a fine over food brought by a student amounted to forcing particular dietary practices on children.
Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation education officer Sulabha Vatare confirmed that a show-cause notice had been issued to the school. The notice reportedly questioned the basis on which restrictions were imposed on students' food and the authority under which a fine or fee was collected.
The civic education department said imposing dietary restrictions on students and penalising them for bringing particular food items could amount to a violation of provisions of the Right to Education Act, students' fundamental rights and applicable government rules, according to the notice reported by The Times of India.
The education department directed the school to submit an explanation. Loksatta reported that the school had been given time until September 21 to respond, but had not submitted its explanation at the time of publication. The school management could not be reached for its response.
The controversy comes shortly after a separate dispute involving Seven Square School in Mira Road, run by BJP MLA Narendra Mehta. The school had issued a communication asking students not to bring onion, garlic and certain other food items during Paryushan. The school was subsequently issued a notice and later withdrew the communication.
Tapovan Vidyalaya is registered as a minority school. While such institutions have certain powers to frame internal rules, education experts cited by Loksatta said there is no provision permitting the school to impose such a fine or charge on students for bringing particular food items.
The municipal education department's action has brought renewed attention to the extent to which schools can regulate students' dietary choices, particularly when such restrictions are linked to religious or cultural practices.