Overview

• The midday meal scheme at Kishoriganj Manmohanpur Primary School had used two cooks, separate utensils and divided kitchen spaces since 2000 to serve Hindu and Muslim pupils apart
• District Magistrate Ayesha Rani dispatched an enquiry team after learning of the practice and said action would follow its report
• On June 25 local officials, police and parents agreed to end the segregation and for the first time in years meals were cooked and served from the same utensils
• Headmaster Tapas Ghosh, who previously attempted to unify the kitchens, said administrative backing cleared obstacles posed by a segment of guardians’ demands
• The incident prompted public exchanges between BJP and Trinamool Congress leaders accusing each other of fomenting communal tensions over school policy