Political Tensions Rise Over Mid-Day Meal Changes in West Bengal Schools

The West Bengal government's recent decision to eliminate eggs from mid-day meals in Kolkata schools has led to significant political backlash. TMC MP Mahua Moitra has voiced strong opposition, arguing that the majority of Bengalis prefer non-vegetarian food and that soy is not a suitable substitute. The controversy intensified when the BJP announced a pilot project to replace eggs with vegetarian options like kidney beans, prompting accusations of imposing a vegetarian culture. Moitra raised concerns about the nutritional value of soy compared to eggs and questioned the legislators' dietary choices. This situation highlights the ongoing tensions in West Bengal's political landscape regarding food policies in education.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 27, 2026, 17:11 IST

Controversy Surrounds Mid-Day Meal Policy in Kolkata

Mahua Moitra, a Member of Parliament from the Trinamool Congress, has criticized the West Bengal government's decision to remove eggs from the mid-day meal program in schools under the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. She pointed out that a significant portion of the Bengali population prefers non-vegetarian food over soy products.

The political landscape in West Bengal has become contentious following the BJP-led government's initiative to assign the preparation of mid-day meals in Kolkata schools to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). This new pilot project aims to replace eggs with vegetarian options like kidney beans, leading to accusations from the TMC that the government is imposing a vegetarian culture in Bengal.

Budget Announcement and Criticism

During the presentation of the state's first budget under the new administration, West Bengal's Finance Minister, Swapna Dasgupta, announced an increase in the cost of mid-day meals for primary schools from ₹6.78 to ₹10 per student. The responsibility for supplying cooked meals in the KMC area will be handed over to ISKCON. Moitra criticized the BJP government for serving vegetarian meals, stating that most children do not enjoy soy and accused the ruling party of enforcing vegetarianism in schools.

Nutritional Concerns Raised

Moitra emphasized that eggs are a source of 'Class A' protein, containing all essential amino acids, while soy is the only non-animal protein classified as 'first class.' She argued that children do not like soy, and replacing eggs with it is not a viable solution. Furthermore, she highlighted that 98% of the Bengali population consumes meat and that soy lacks the nutritional value found in eggs.

She also questioned why legislators were not consuming kidney beans and rice themselves, asking, "Why don't you eat kidney beans?" She noted that many children attend school primarily for the nutritious meals that include eggs.