BJP MLA’s School Withdraws Jain Festival Food Restrictions After Backlash

Seven Square Academy, a CBSE-affiliated school run by a trust linked to the family of BJP MLA Narendra Mehta, has withdrawn a controversial circular restricting students from bringing food containing onion, garlic, potato, beetroot and other vegetables during the Jain Paryushan festival.

The circular, which was uploaded on the school’s online portal, sparked opposition from parents, political parties and social organisations. The school had also announced that the listed food items would not be available in its canteen during the Paryushan period.

The issue escalated on Thursday when Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Thane district president Avinash Jadhav visited the school and warned of an agitation if the circular was not withdrawn within 24 hours.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 seeking cancellation of the school’s recognition.

Parents and several organisations questioned the decision to impose food-related restrictions on students in the name of a religious festival. Critics argued that while students may voluntarily follow dietary practices associated with their faith, a school should not impose such restrictions on the wider student community.

The controversy also drew political criticism. Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik of the Shiv Sena targeted Mehta over the circular, calling the move hypocritical. Sarnaik questioned whether similar restrictions were being followed at establishments such as Mehta’s clubs and hotels and also referred to the BJP’s stance on Hindu fasting days.

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

Mehta, meanwhile, sought to clarify that the communication was intended only as an appeal to students and was not meant to be mandatory.

The episode has nevertheless raised wider questions about the boundaries between religious observance and institutional policy in schools, particularly when dietary choices intersect with a diverse student population.