A Noida school created controversy after sending parents a circular asking them not to pack non-vegetarian food in the lunch boxes for the students.
What Did The School Say?
The circular was issued by Delhi Public School (DPS) in Noida’s Gautam Buddh Nagar, on 7th August and shared with the parents through the official WhatsApp group. The circular stated “We are writing to respectfully request that students do not bring non-vegetarian food items to school…,”
It further gave “two key considerations” for this with the first being “Health and Safety: Non-vegetarian food, when cooked in the morning for lunchtime consumption, can pose serious health risks if not stored and handled properly, and we prioritize our students’ well-being.”
The second reason for this request in the circular read “Inclusivity and Respect: Our school values diversity and promotes a culture of inclusivity. By maintaining a vegetarian food environment, we ensure that all students feel respected and comfortable, regardless of their dietary preferences or restrictions, while eating their meals together”.
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The circular drew considerable debate with opposing views from parents and general people. While some agreed with the request believing it would be a better decision, others felt it was ‘interfering’ and trying to police dietary practices.
Some also raised the argument that it is not only non-veg food that can go bad in hot and humid weather, saying that any food regardless of vegetarian or non-vegetarian can go bad.
One parent was quoted in reports saying, “Vegetarian food also tends to go stale, hence, restricting non-vegetarian food items is uncalled for. Moreover, giving a full nutritious meal to their child is a parent’s prerogative and schools should not interfere in that.”
Times of India quoted one parent with a child in the primary section of DPS saying, “My kid always complains about eating vegetables. The notice mentions ‘respect’ and ‘diversity’. I don’t get how one’s food choice can disrespect others. No one is forcing vegetarians to consume non-vegetarian items, or restricting them in their food choices, then why should such things be imposed on non-vegetarians.”
Another parent said, “Lunch must be rich in nutrients and food value. If they do not eat protein-rich food such as eggs, then how will they get all the nutrients.”
A Hindustan Times report had Manoj Kataria, founder of the Gautam Budh Nagar Parents Welfare Society saying, “Each student at the school comes from a different culture and and had different food habits and all should be welcome to practise their own such habits. A request to avoid non-vegetarian food restricts food choices of parents for their children.”
Those who supported the decision to not have students bring non-veg food to schools also spoke about why this was right. Pallavi Rai in a report quoted how “Educational institutions are just like temples for children, and eating non-vegetarian food there is not advisable. Moreover, a majority of students in that school are vegetarians, hence the circular is a good step.”
One parent with a daughter in Class 10 of DPS speaking with The Print said, “The school cannot control the food habits of students. Today, they are asking students not to bring non-veg food to school; tomorrow, they may demand something else. We will meet with the school administration and ask them to withdraw this.”
This issue has also been raised before at a parent-teacher meeting about two weeks ago where parents were concerned about students bringing non-veg food to school. It is suspected that the school circular was sent concerning this.
A parent on anonymity said, “I am one of the several parents who raised this concern because our children can’t differentiate between veg and non-veg when they eat together.”
Clarification By Principal
Supriti Chauhan, principal of DPS Gautam Buddh Nagar, also spoke out after the backlash saying that the reason for the advisory was because non-veg “items get spoiled quickly due to hot and humid weather conditions”.
In a statement on Thursday, she said, “We have written to the parents requesting that students refrain from bringing non-vegetarian food items to school. This is not a diktat, but only a request. We issue such a circular every year and this year’s is nothing new. There is no ban, no directive, no advisory…only a respectful request.”
Chauhan speaking with TOI also said, “The school wants to provide a diverse environment and teach that sharing is caring. During lunchtime, students share their food with their friends. If the food gets stale, then it will affect their health. That’s why the circular was issued.”
She also spoke with The Print and said. “The circular was sent in response to a few incidents where students felt uncomfortable after consuming egg sandwiches and chicken-based items brought from their homes,” and further emphasised that this is not a “directive or ban” and just a “respectful request”.
Image Credits: Google Images
Feature image designed by Saudamini Seth
Sources: Moneycontrol, CNBC TV18, Hindustan Times
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