Mira Road school asks students to avoid root vegetables during Paryushan, MNS objects

BJP MLA Narendra Mehta-owned school asks students to avoid root vegetables for Paryushan (Pic/X@iNarendraMehta)

A controversy has erupted after a school owned by a BJP MLA in Maharashtra's Thane district advised students not to carry root vegetables such as onion, garlic, potato, and beetroot in lunchboxes during the Jain community's ongoing Paryushan festival, prompting the MNS to question the move.

According to PTI, Mira Bhayander MLA Narendra Mehta, who owns the Seven Square Academy, dismissed the allegations, saying the message was just a request, not a mandatory order.

The issue ignited after the school, located in the Mira Road area, sent a message on its official WhatsApp groups requesting parents not to pack root vegetables in their children's lunchboxes for the duration of 'Paryushan Parva'.

The advisory also noted that during the eight-day holy period, the school canteen would serve food prepared without onions, garlic, and potatoes.

MNS condemns the school administration's move

The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) took exception to the message after some parents alerted the party about it, as per PTI.

Local MNS leader Sachin Pofale condemned the move and questioned how the school could "dictate" what children should carry in their lunchboxes.

While slamming the authorities, he asked, "Who is the school management to decide what Marathi students and children should eat? If a Marathi entrepreneur opens a school tomorrow and asks students of all communities to bring chicken, mutton, or eggs during Gatari, would that be accepted?" as cited by PTI.

He also alleged, "Today, the government, municipal mayors, and now school administrations are attempting to dictate what our children carry in their tiffins."

He also said that the MNS has escalated the matter to local education officials for further action.

BJP MLA Mehta dismisses allegations

MLA Mehta, while clarifying about the incident, told the media, "Paryushan is a sacred festival centred around non-violence (Ahimsa) and compassion for all living beings. The message sent by the school was merely a request to parents, not a mandatory order or compulsion. We simply asked students and parents to refrain from packing non-essential or unhealthy items for these eight days as part of healthy eating habits," as cited by PTI.

Mehta further highlighted that the initiative aimed to respect religious sentiments and foster a spirit of health awareness, citing that scientific principles lie behind traditions such as consuming warm water or light vegetarian diets.

The BJP MLA also added, "Similar advisories urging people to avoid non-vegetarian food are routinely communicated during festivals like Ganeshotsav and Navratri."

The dispute comes against the backdrop of resolutions passed by the Mira Bhaindar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) regarding a temporary ban on meat and fish sales during Paryushan.

(With inputs from PTI)