Opposition to eggs in mid-day meals gathering steam in Karnataka

A fresh controversy is brewing in Karnataka over the Government’s recent proposal to include eggs in the menu for mid-day meals supplied to children studying in Government primary schools across the State.

Several vegetarian groups, who are up in arms against the Government’s decision to provide eggs in mid-day meals, have secured support from not only the Jain community, but also Pontiffs of various religious Maths. Already protest demonstrations have been held in various parts of the State urging the Government to drop the proposal on supplying egg from the coming academic year.

Three pontiffs – Sri Dayananda Swamiji, co-ordinator of Karnataka Prani Daya Sangha, Sri Vishweshwa Thirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Math and Sri Gurusidda Rajayogindra Swamiji of Mooru Savira Math – addressed a joint press conference in Bangalore to condemn the Government’s proposal to provide eggs to children during mid-day meals.

They have termed the move as an “onslaught” on vegetarians. “It amounted to a conspiracy against the basic rights of people, who believed in vegetarianism”, Sri Dayananda Swamiji said.

“When vegetarian food is rich in protein and nutrition, there is no need for the Government to supply eggs to school children”, Sri Vishweshwa Thirtha Swamiji said.

Several women from the Padmashree Jain Mahila Samaj, who have taken out a protest march in various parts of the State, contend that inclusion of eggs in the mid-day meals would offend the feelings of vegetarians and people, who believe in non-violence.

A representative of the Padmashree Jain Mahila Samaj Sheela Anantharaj told reporters that segregation of students as vegetarian and non-vegetarian would amount to sowing the seeds of discrimination in young minds. “Many people in the state were not non-vegetarians. It would be unwise to thrust upon them its decision to supply eggs in mid-day meals”, she said.

Vegetarian groups have also begun bringing pressure on the Government to supply milk and fruits instead of eggs. The supply of eggs during mid-day meals would also lead to creation of a large amount of waste comprising shells of egg, which attracts stray dog menace, Sheela Anantharaj argued.

The vegetarian groups also suspect that the Government had chosen to include egg in the mid-day meal menu under pressure from the poultry industry. “The supply of eggs may just be the beginning. Who knows, the Government may even begin serving chicken and mutton in mid-day meals”, a woman from the Jain community feared