Tapas Ghosh, headmaster of the Kishoriganj Manmohanpur Primary School, mentioned he had tried to cease the follow previously however hadn’t succeeded
Dhanu Bibi, one of many cooks who was assigned for Muslim college students, mentioned she cooked in a single part of the kitchen whereas the opposite cook dinner used the adjoining portion. (Sourced)
Tapas Ghosh, headmaster of the Kishoriganj Manmohanpur Primary School, mentioned he learnt in regards to the follow when he joined the varsity in 2024. “I attempted to cease this, however because it was a delicate concern, I didn’t wish to do it forcefully or rush by means of. But it was at all times on my thoughts that this follow has to finish,” Ghosh mentioned.
The college in East Burdwan district’s Kalna area has about 70 college students in lessons one to 5. Over the years, a one-foot-high wall had been constructed within the kitchen to mark the realm for use by The Hindu and Muslim cooks. The college additionally needed to rent two cooks – one from every group – as an alternative of 1.
It will not be clear when the follow began. Or the circumstances that led to the follow of partaking separate cooks and utensils for the kids of the 2 communities.
Dhanu Bibi, one of many cooks who was assigned for Muslim college students, mentioned she cooked in a single part of the kitchen whereas the opposite cook dinner used the adjoining portion.
Sonali Majumdar, the second cook dinner, advised reporters that Tapas Ghosh had tried as soon as earlier to cease the follow however hadn’t succeeded. “But right this moment it has develop into doable. It feels good to see that kids are having their meals collectively,” Majumdar mentioned.
On Wednesday, the varsity authorities held a gathering with dad and mom of the scholars, which was attended by officers from the native police station, block administration and the panchayat. Everyone agreed to implement the change. And for the primary time in a few years, the meal was cooked utilizing the identical utensils. The college students sat and had their meal collectively.
Ghosh mentioned he was completely happy that he may cease it. “I by no means wished the kids to take a seat and eat individually simply because they arrive from totally different communities. I wished the varsity to develop and do higher,” he mentioned.
Kalna sub-divisional officer (SDO) Shubham Aggarwal mentioned they’d carried out an inspection on Tuesday after studying in regards to the follow. “A gathering was held on Wednesday. The native administration and the police had been additionally current. All the scholars sat collectively and had their meal,” he mentioned.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) mentioned there was an ordinary working process for cooking mid-day meals in faculties. “But I’ve heard that in some faculties, notably in some minority-dominated areas, dad and mom of children have demanded that halal meat be served. In a bid to keep away from any controversy, some faculties have stopped serving rooster,” Suvendu Adhikari advised reporters.
TMC spokesperson Jay Prakash Majumdar mentioned, “The BJP has began poisoning the minds of each citizen, together with youngsters, and making a communal divide. Local BJP leaders are doing this. They are pressuring faculties to introduce such divisions”.
