A school-linked food advisory sparks a political row, raising questions over religion and student choice.

After backlash, BJP MLA-linked school withdraws food restrictions during Jain Paryushan

A CBSE school linked to the family of BJP MLA Narendra Mehta has withdrawn a controversial circular asking students to avoid bringing food containing onion, garlic, potato, beetroot and other vegetables during the Jain Paryushan festival, following strong opposition from parents and political and social organisations.

Seven Square Academy, run by a trust belonging to Mehta’s family, had uploaded the circular on its online portal. It also said the listed food items would not be available in the school canteen during the Paryushan period.

The advisory quickly became a flashpoint, with critics questioning whether a school should impose dietary restrictions on students in the name of a religious observance.

The controversy escalated on Thursday when MNS Thane district president Avinash Jadhav visited the school and warned of an agitation if the circular was not withdrawn within 24 hours. The Marathi Ekikaran Samiti also threatened legal action, including a demand for cancellation of the school’s recognition.

The issue drew political criticism as well. Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik of the Shiv Sena attacked Mehta over the move, questioning whether similar restrictions were followed at clubs and hotels associated with him. Sarnaik also took a swipe at the BJP over its stance on religious fasting and dietary practices.

Amid the growing backlash, the school removed the circular from its portal late on Thursday. The MNS and Marathi Ekikaran Samiti welcomed the withdrawal.

Mehta, meanwhile, sought to clarify that the communication was intended only as an appeal to students and was never meant to be mandatory.

The episode has nevertheless raised a larger question about the boundaries between religious observance and school policy. While institutions may acknowledge festivals and accommodate students’ religious practices, any attempt to regulate what children eat can quickly become contentious—particularly in a diverse school environment where families follow different faiths, traditions and dietary choices.

The withdrawal of the circular has brought the immediate controversy to an end, but the debate over how schools should handle religious customs without imposing them on students is likely to continue.