High Court to hear PIL against ISKCON's appointment for Kolkata mid-day meals

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Calcutta High Court challenging the state government's decision to serve only vegetarian meals under the mid-day meal scheme in schools within the Kolkata municipal area. The petition also questions the decision to assign the responsibility for supplying mid-day meals to ISKCON. The matter is likely to be heard by the High Court next Tuesday.

Following the presentation of the state budget on June 24, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that the responsibility for supplying mid-day meals in the Kolkata municipal area had been entrusted to ISKCON. ISKCON already manages the mid-day meal programme in Gujarat and supplies meals in several other states. According to Radharaman Das, the then Vice-President of ISKCON Kolkata, the menu will include high-protein ingredients such as soybeans, kidney beans, and paneer.

The petitioner has alleged that students would be deprived of the nutritional benefits of non-vegetarian food under the revised menu. The petition further claims that awarding the contract to ISKCON could affect employment opportunities for women associated with self-help groups and has sought an inquiry into the decision to entrust the responsibility to the religious organisation. The hearing is expected to take place next Tuesday.