: Karnataka: Civil Society Demands Eggs Be Made Part of Mid-Day Meals Amidst Protests #IndiaNEWSAll #Education The Government of Karnataka had issued a circular in October directing the local administration

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Karnataka: Civil Society Demands Eggs Be Made Part of Mid-Day Meals Amidst Protests #IndiaNEWSAll #Education
The Government of Karnataka had issued a circular in October directing the local administration to include Eggs and Banana in the Mid-Day Meals provided in the schools of the seven backward districts of the state which reported rampant malnutrition amongst children – Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari (and Vijayanagara) and Vijayapura. Children who don’t consume eggs were provided the option of having Bananas.
The move that was overwhelmingly welcomed by teachers and parents cutting across religious and caste lines, was expected to improve attendance in schools apart from boosting the health of malnourished children in these districts. The Hindu has reported that an internal survey by the Additional Commissioner of Public Instruction (Kalaburagi Division) had found that around 80% of children had expressed willingness to have egg in the midday meal.
However, some Lingayat organizations including the Rashtriya Basava Dal had opposed the government’s decision and held a protest in Bidar on 30th November 2021. While some Lingayat organizations have opposed the move of the government, few organizations in Bidar, including the Republican Party of India (RPI), Dalita Vidyarthi Parishat, Ramabhai Bhajna Team, Janwadi Mahila Sanghatan, and Gonda Vidyarthi Sanghatane have submitted a memorandum to Bidar Deputy Commissioner on December 1 demanding that the government stays firm on its decision to offer eggs to school-going children.
On the other end, some leaders and seers within the Lingayat community too have welcomed the decision of the government. Former IAS Officer turned leader of the Jagatika Lingayata Mahasabha, SM Jamdaar has clarified that The Government has clearly stated in its order that vegetarians will be provided Bananas and meat-eaters will be provided Eggs. There is nothing wrong with it. Hence, JLM does not oppose the order of the government.
Also Read: After Modi’s U-turn on 3 farm laws, farmers of Karnataka want govt to repeal APMC, Land Reform (Amendment) Act
Speaking on the issue, Sri Panditaradhya Swamiji of Sanehalli Mutt has noted that Everybody is free to make their own choice of food. There are both vegetarians and meat-eaters. Ones food habit must not be forced on anybody else. There is nothing wrong with the government providing eggs to kids who like it. Fruits can be provided to kids who do not eat eggs. This is clearly our stance on the issue he has stated.
However, few civil society groups including Ahara Namma Hakku (Our food, Our right), Drug Action Forum, Karnataka, National Coalition on the Education Emergency, Stree Jagruti Samiti Domestic Workers Rights Union, Jagrut Mahila Okkuta Belagavi, and ActionAid Association have written an open letter to the Education minister of the state demanding have demanded that eggs should be provided as part of the mid-day meal scheme on all school days to all children in Karnataka, who are used to consuming eggs.

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