It refers to non-sense decision of Madhya Pradesh government to provide eggs in Anganwadi. Earlier some state-governments had introduced eggs even in mid-day meal programme in schools. Such a proposal was rightly turned down by the then BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh government.
Like most other Indian states, Madhya Pradesh has also mostly vegetarian population especially including minority community of Jains, where people even do not like to share food served or cooked along with non-vegetarian food including eggs. Even if decision to include eggs in Anganwadi scheme is implemented though only on choice-basis, many vegetarian ones may skip food under Anganwadi scheme. Clubbing of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items served or distributed under any government-scheme will hurt religious sentiments of most people.
Serving of non-vegetarian food-items at cost or schemes of government should be strictly banned. Global world is moving fast towards vegetarianism. Even in India, hotels and restaurants serving exclusively vegetarian food are becoming popular. It is significant that during holy navratras, many restaurants famous for their non-vegetarian food, cook and serve only vegetarian food respecting religious sentiments of majority people. Such a decision by government providing eggs under public-schemes like Anganwadi and mid-day meal of schools should be opposed at all levels like is also being done BJP, if necessary by moving to courts.
SUBHASH CHANDRA AGRAWAL