Bhayander: Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation’s education department has issued a show-cause notice to a Bhayander school following a complaint that it fined a student Rs 50 for carrying a dish made of fenugreek leaves for lunch.According to Robert D’Souza, office-bearer of MNS, which lodged the complaint, a majority of the students of the institute, Tapovan Vidyalaya, belong to the Jain community and parents are reportedly told at the time of admission not to send non-vegetarian food and root vegetables in their children’s lunchboxes. He said imposing the fine amounted to forcing a set of dietary practices on students.MBMC education officer Sulabha Vatare confirmed that a notice has been issued. The notice states that schools cannot impose dietary curbs on students and that imposing a fine for bringing certain food items is a serious matter. Such a practice amounts to a violation of Right to Education (RTE) Act, students’ fundamental rights and state govt rules, it said.TOI attempted to reach out to the school management for a comment.The incident came days after a controversy over Seven Square School in Mira Road, run by BJP MLA Narendra Mehta, issuing a circular asking students not to bring onion, garlic and certain other food items in their lunchboxes during Paryushan. The school, which was also sent a notice, withdrew the circular later.
