Hyderabad: The management of Maheshwari Vidyalaya at Old Khabutarkhana in city does not allow children to bring rice, eggs, Maggie noodles and non-vegetarian food in their lunch boxes.
One of the school teachers said rice is not allowed as it turns bad because some ‘lazy mothers’ send yesterday’s food.
Non-vegetarian food is not allowed because there are students from different communities and as students often share food, vegetarians may end up eating eggs and meat without realising that it is forbidden in their religion or community.
The school was established in 1995 but the school’s restrictions on food have come to the notice of child rights activists through some parents.
Activists say the school is violating the rights of children and have formally complained to the district educational officer of Hyderabad demanding that action be taken against the school authorities.
Achyuta Rao, honorary president of Balala Hakkula Sangham, said, “Maheshwari Vidyalaya has 800 students. The school is not allowing the children to even eat rice or eggs. When we enquired about this, school administrator Monika replied that they won’t allow children to eat rice because parents may send stale rice, and eggs are not allowed because it is a Maheshwari community school. She further said that if one child is allowed to eat egg other children of the community will be spoilt by eating eggs.’’
Mr Rao says the school management is acting on religious grounds and is not only violating child rights but it is also keeping children away from nutritious food and that will adversely affect their health.
The school management stoutly defends its food fascism. A spokesperson told this newspaper: “If students want to eat non-veg food they should eat it at home. No school allows non-veg in the school campus. There are about 1,000 children in our school. If most of them bring non-veg it will spoil the environment of the school. Children should bring simple food to the school and should avoid getting non-veg food in the lunch box.’’
H3
