Circular on dining rooms in Muslim-dominated schools of West Bengal sparks row

A major controversy has erupted over West Bengal government’s directive on the construction of dining rooms for midday meals in state-run schools having more than 70 per cent minority students in Cooch Behar district with the Bharatiya Janata Party slamming the government for its directive.

West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh targeted the Mamata Banerjee government and questioned whether there was any "malafide motive" behind the "segregation".

Uploading a copy of the circular on his Twitter handle, he sought to know whether there was any "mala fide motive" behind the "segregation".

"The West Bengal Government has issued a circular whereby it has directed the school authorities where 70% or more students are from the Muslim community to reserve a dining hall with seating arrangements for them," Ghosh tweeted.

"Why this discrimination between the students on the basis of religion? Is there some other mala fide motive behind this segregation? Another conspiracy?" he asked.

With the controversy snowballing, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that she will immediately inquire into the matter and the government would soon issue a clarification.

"I had no knowledge of this. This was an old circular which has already been withdrawn. I think some errant officer dredged out an old circular and issued it without the government's knowledge. I am immediately inquiring into this matter. There will be no discrimination of students on any grounds."

The circular was apparently issued by the Cooch Behar district magistrate office (minority section) on Tuesday asking the district inspector of schools to send the names of government-run and government-aided schools having more than 70 per cent minority students by Friday, for sending a proposal for construction of dining halls for midday meals in schools.