Probe ordered after West Bengal school segregates midday meals by religion
Kolkata: A government primary school in West Bengal’s Purba Bardhaman district is under investigation after it has been preparing and serving midday meals separately to Hindu and Muslim students — a practice allegedly in place since 2000.
According to a report by The Indian Express, the school employs two separate cooks, uses different utensils and cooking spaces, and serves meals to students in separate classrooms based on their religion. The school has 72 students — 29 Muslims and 43 Hindus.
District Magistrate Ayesha Rani confirmed that an investigation has been ordered.
School headmaster Tapas Ghosh mentioned that children sit and study together in the same classroom. However, he added, food is cooked and served separately.
“This has been the practice for years. I joined the school a year ago. I tried to intervene but failed. Today, I have called a meeting of parents and local panchayat members. We hope to resolve the issue,” TIE quoted Ghosh as saying.
Ranu Bibi, the cook assigned to Muslim students, revealed that Hindu students do not eat food prepared by her. “I’ve been cooking for Muslim students since the midday meal scheme began in 2000. The utensils and plates used are separate. The headmaster tried to change things, but couldn’t,” Bibi added.
“I cook for the Hindu students. The gas connection is shared, but everything else — from kitchen space to utensils — is separate. It’s disheartening, but what can we do?” the report quoted Sonali Majumder as saying.
Former headmaster Govinda Bhadra, who led the school from 2002 to 2022, acknowledged that the system was in place during his tenure. “Initially, only one cook was employed. When objections were raised by one community, another cook was hired. I tried several times to end the practice and even informed the Block Development Officer and school inspector. But no action was taken,” he said.
Local authorities said they were unaware of the practice until recently. “Now that we know, we will attend the meeting and ensure such a practice is stopped,” said Kanan Burman, Pradhan of Nasratpur Gram Panchayat, under which the school falls.
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Man arrested in connection with piracy of Zubeen Garg's last film
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Guwahati, (PTI): The person, identified as Rafiqul Islam, was arrested from Lakhipur in Goalpara district for allegedly uploading video clips on his YouTube channel, Rafiqul R Vlogs.
He was produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court and remanded to three days police custody.
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The complaint was filed by the film's producer Shyamantak Gautam with the Cyber Police Station, Panbazar, alleging that the film was being uploaded by unauthorised persons within a few days of the film's release on October 31.
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