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For the first time in over two decades, all students at Kishoriganj Manmohanpur Primary School in West Bengal’s Purba Bardhaman district shared the same midday meal on Wednesday, a moment marking the end of a long-standing practice of religious segregation during lunch.
The school, located in the Nandan Ghat area under Purbasthali I bloc had been serving separate meals to Hindu and Muslim students since the launch of the government’s midday meal scheme in 2000. Despite learning together and sitting on the same benches, students were separated by religion when it came to food with different cooks, utensils, and even kitchens used.
The discriminatory practice came to light recently, prompting widespread outrage and media coverage. Following public outcry, the district administration ordered an inquiry into the matter. In response, school authorities convened a crucial meeting on Wednesday with teachers, parents, local panchayat members, and representatives from the administration and police.
“We sent an inquiry team to the school. Action will be taken on the basis of the report,” said Ayesha Rani, District Magistrate of Purba Bardhaman.
During the meeting, it was unanimously decided to abolish the segregation. Both cooks, one Hindu and one Muslim, will now work together using common utensils and kitchen facilities. The food will be served to all students collectively, without any distinction of faith.
“School teachers, administration and police were there along with the villagers. We all made it clear that such a practice will not be allowed,” said Kanan Burman, Pradhan of the Nasratpur Gram Panchayat. “We also spoke with the villagers. It has been decided that both the cooks will prepare the midday meal together using the same utensils. According to rules, the children will be served food while sitting beside each other irrespective of their religion,” he added.
In a further step towards inclusivity, it was also announced that a Self Help Group (SHG) of local women would soon be formed to manage midday meal preparation in accordance with government norms.
Mahbil Hussain Mondol, Deputy Pradhan of the Gram Panchayat, confirmed, “It has also been decided that soon a Self Help Group will be formed, comprising local village women, who will cook the midday meal in the school. All norms will be followed.”
The school has 72 students, 43 Hindus and 29 Muslims. For years, Hindu students were served meals prepared by a Hindu cook, while Muslim students were served by a Muslim cook. Meals were even served in different classrooms, despite being cooked on a shared gas connection.
Current headmaster Tapas Ghosh, who joined a year ago, said he had tried to end the practice but initially faced resistance. “The students study together, sit in the same classroom, but the food is cooked and served separately. This has been the practice for years. I joined the school a year ago and tried to intervene, but failed. Today, I called a meeting of parents and local panchayat members to resolve the issue,” Ghosh told The Indian Express. “There is progress. This practice cannot be allowed. But nothing can change overnight. We are still trying to make people understand,” he added.
The former headmaster, Govinda Bhadra, who led the school from 2002 to 2022, also acknowledged the long-running issue. “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,” Bhadra recalled.
Both cooks confirmed the arrangement. “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 could not,” said Ranu Bibi.
“The gas connection is shared, but everything else from kitchen space to utensils was separate. It’s disheartening, but what could we have done?” echoed Sonali Majumder, who cooked for the Hindu students.
Parents, too, expressed support for the decision to unify the meal system. “My son and daughter study here and I support the decision. There should not be any division on the basis of religion. Children will play and eat together,” said Muhammed Sheikh Hussain, a parent present at the meeting.
