NHRC takes suo moto cognizance of snake contamination in school lunch after over 100 children fall sick in Bihar

Over 100 children in Mokama, Bihar, fell ill after consuming a mid-day meal that reportedly contained a dead snake. The incident occurred on April 24, 2025, in a government-run school in the region, which is among India's poorest. Authorities have been alerted about the contamination after the snake was reportedly removed from the food before it was served to the children. The children began showing symptoms of illness soon after consuming the meal, leading to widespread concern.

In response to the incident, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has launched an investigation. The NHRC issued notices to the Chief Secretary of Bihar and the Senior Superintendent of Police in Patna, urging them to provide a detailed report on the incident within two weeks. The Commission has specifically asked for information on the health status of the affected children. According to the NHRC, this case raises serious human rights concerns regarding the safety and well-being of students in government schools.

The incident triggered protests from the local community. Villagers, angered by the unsafe food, blocked roads in protest against the mishandling of the mid-day meal program. The protests highlighted the widespread frustration over the safety of free meals provided to schoolchildren, a government initiative designed to encourage education in rural areas. These meals are an essential part of the schooling system in Bihar and many other states, where they aim to improve enrollment and attendance.

The NHRC has emphasized that such incidents threaten the safety of children in educational institutions, calling the situation a serious violation of their human rights. The Commission's response comes after a similar tragedy in 2013, when 23 children in Bihar’s Saran district died after consuming a meal contaminated with pesticides. Following that incident, the government had implemented stricter safety regulations for school meals, but lapses like this have continued to raise concerns.

Authorities have begun a full investigation into the incident, and the state government has pledged to address the issue. The health condition of the affected children is currently being monitored, and further action will be taken once the investigation report is submitted. The outcome of this inquiry is expected to shed light on the lapses that led to this unfortunate incident and the steps necessary to prevent such occurrences in the future.