Seven Square Academy, a CBSE school run by a trust belonging to the family of BJP MLA Narendra Mehta, has finally withdrawn a controversial circular instructing students not to bring food items containing vegetables such as onions, garlic, potatoes and beetroot in their lunchboxes in view of the Jain Paryushan festival.
The circular had been published on the school’s online portal. It stated that these food items would also not be available in the school canteen during the Paryushan period. However, the decision faced strong opposition from parents, political parties and various social organisations.
On Thursday, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Thane district president Avinash Jadhav visited the school and warned that the party would launch a protest if the circular was not withdrawn within 24 hours. The Marathi Ekikaran Samiti also threatened legal action seeking cancellation of the school’s recognition.
Circular withdrawn after political opposition
Parents and various organisations questioned the decision to impose restrictions on students’ diets in the name of a religious festival. Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik also criticised Narendra Mehta, calling the decision hypocritical.
He questioned whether similar restrictions were imposed at Mehta’s clubs and hotels. He also targeted the BJP over restrictions related to fasting days observed in Hinduism.
Following the widespread opposition, the school removed the circular from its online portal late on Thursday night. The MNS and Marathi Ekikaran Samiti have welcomed the school’s decision.
Meanwhile, Narendra Mehta issued a clarification, claiming that the circular was merely an appeal to students and that compliance with it would not have been mandatory.
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