A row has broken out at a school in Maharashtra’s Bhayandar after allegations that a student was charged for bringing fenugreek in their tiffin during the Jain festival of Paryushan, days after similar claims surfaced over onions, potatoes and other vegetables.
A student at Tapovan School in Bhayandar East reportedly brought a fenugreek (methi) dish from home in their tiffin. The student was reportedly not allowed to eat the food brought from home. Instead, they were given food from the school canteen and charged Rs 20 for it. Read: Class 2 Student Collapses, Dies Moments After DJ Procession Crossed UP School
The school then wrote a note in the student’s diary stating, “Fenugreek is a banned vegetable, according to allegations.
A complaint over that fine was filed by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). An explanation has been sought from Tapovan Vidyalaya regarding the matter, but the school has not yet made any official statement. Acting on the complaint, Sulbha Vathare, Education Officer of the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation, issued a show-cause notice to the school on 17 September.
School Restricts Certain Foods Amid Jain Festival
A school has reportedly banned root vegetables, including kandmool, and fenugreek due to its significant Jain student population. This decision is linked to dietary restrictions observed during Paryushan, an important festival in Jainism.
This is not the first time the school has faced scrutiny over food policies. Earlier reports indicated that students were fined Rs 50 for bringing items like onions, potatoes, ginger, beetroot, and carrots in their lunchboxes during the same festival.
