Never thought I'd fight for eggs in Parliament: Derek O'Brien on Bengal egg U-turn
Derek O'Brien claimed victory after the West Bengal government said eggs would continue in mid-day meals. The decision followed a row over ISKCON's school meal pilot and fears of a vegetarian-only menu.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O'Brien on Friday claimed victory after the West Bengal government decided to continue serving eggs to students under the mid-day meal programme, saying he "never ever thought" he would have to fight in Parliament to ensure children received eggs as part of their meals.
In a post on X, O'Brien wrote, "Never ever thought I would have to fight in Parliament to get EGGS on the menu for kids. We did. We won. Kids won. The Bengal Government reverses its decision, now decides to serve eggs in midday meals."
He also referred to the notice he had moved in Parliament on the "urgent need for Midday Meals (with eggs) to nourish kids."
The remarks came after West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday announced that the state government would separately provide eggs to students under the mid-day meal programme, even as ISKCON takes over the responsibility of cooking and supplying meals in all government and government-aided schools in Kolkata as a pilot project from August 1.
Speaking at a School Composite Grant distribution programme at the state secretariat, Nabanna, Adhikari sought to end the uncertainty surrounding the inclusion of eggs in school meals following opposition allegations that the BJP-led state government was attempting to impose a vegetarian diet on students.
The state government also announced financial assistance of more than Rs 296 crore to 80,375 state-run schools during the event.
"While ISKCON will provide pure, satvik and protein-rich meals to students, we are making arrangements to additionally provide eggs to students, keeping in mind their need for a wholesome protein diet, through our Self Help Groups (SHGs)," Adhikari said.
He clarified that the government would provide eggs separately once or twice a week. He also said the state had increased the allocation for primary school students' mid-day meals to Rs 10 per student from Rs 6.78, eliminating the disparity in funding between junior and senior students.
The issue had figured prominently in the state's 2026-27 Budget after reports suggested that ISKCON would be entrusted with the school meal programme.
A section of stakeholders in the education sector raised concerns that handing over the programme to ISKCON could indirectly promote a vegetarian diet and result in eggs being permanently removed from the school menu.
Earlier this month, a public interest litigation was filed before the Calcutta High Court over the issue, following which the court sought an affidavit from the state government.
The controversy intensified after School Education Minister Dipak Barman advocated vegetarian food.
"There are many people in society and in this country and across the world who are completely vegetarian and have lived healthy lives. Vegetarian food also contains sufficient nutritional value, and those who eat vegetarian food receive all the nutrients necessary for building their bodies. Therefore, there is no compulsion or requirement that children must eat eggs for nutrition," Barman had said.
Earlier, O'Brien had accused the BJP of trying to remove eggs from school meals.
"After the fish-eating tamasha during the election campaign, the Gujarat Gymkhana finally reveals itself. New BJP govt at work in Bengal. Throw eggs at rivals. But DEPRIVE CHILDREN of nutrition by taking eggs off from midday meals. Imposing vegetarianism. Bengal rejects this," he had posted on X.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O'Brien on Friday claimed victory after the West Bengal government decided to continue serving eggs to students under the mid-day meal programme, saying he "never ever thought" he would have to fight in Parliament to ensure children received eggs as part of their meals.
In a post on X, O'Brien wrote, "Never ever thought I would have to fight in Parliament to get EGGS on the menu for kids. We did. We won. Kids won. The Bengal Government reverses its decision, now decides to serve eggs in midday meals."
He also referred to the notice he had moved in Parliament on the "urgent need for Midday Meals (with eggs) to nourish kids."
The remarks came after West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday announced that the state government would separately provide eggs to students under the mid-day meal programme, even as ISKCON takes over the responsibility of cooking and supplying meals in all government and government-aided schools in Kolkata as a pilot project from August 1.
Speaking at a School Composite Grant distribution programme at the state secretariat, Nabanna, Adhikari sought to end the uncertainty surrounding the inclusion of eggs in school meals following opposition allegations that the BJP-led state government was attempting to impose a vegetarian diet on students.
The state government also announced financial assistance of more than Rs 296 crore to 80,375 state-run schools during the event.
"While ISKCON will provide pure, satvik and protein-rich meals to students, we are making arrangements to additionally provide eggs to students, keeping in mind their need for a wholesome protein diet, through our Self Help Groups (SHGs)," Adhikari said.
He clarified that the government would provide eggs separately once or twice a week. He also said the state had increased the allocation for primary school students' mid-day meals to Rs 10 per student from Rs 6.78, eliminating the disparity in funding between junior and senior students.
The issue had figured prominently in the state's 2026-27 Budget after reports suggested that ISKCON would be entrusted with the school meal programme.
A section of stakeholders in the education sector raised concerns that handing over the programme to ISKCON could indirectly promote a vegetarian diet and result in eggs being permanently removed from the school menu.
Earlier this month, a public interest litigation was filed before the Calcutta High Court over the issue, following which the court sought an affidavit from the state government.
The controversy intensified after School Education Minister Dipak Barman advocated vegetarian food.
"There are many people in society and in this country and across the world who are completely vegetarian and have lived healthy lives. Vegetarian food also contains sufficient nutritional value, and those who eat vegetarian food receive all the nutrients necessary for building their bodies. Therefore, there is no compulsion or requirement that children must eat eggs for nutrition," Barman had said.
Earlier, O'Brien had accused the BJP of trying to remove eggs from school meals.
"After the fish-eating tamasha during the election campaign, the Gujarat Gymkhana finally reveals itself. New BJP govt at work in Bengal. Throw eggs at rivals. But DEPRIVE CHILDREN of nutrition by taking eggs off from midday meals. Imposing vegetarianism. Bengal rejects this," he had posted on X.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O'Brien on Friday claimed victory after the West Bengal government decided to continue serving eggs to students under the mid-day meal programme, saying he "never ever thought" he would have to fight in Parliament to ensure children received eggs as part of their meals.
In a post on X, O'Brien wrote, "Never ever thought I would have to fight in Parliament to get EGGS on the menu for kids. We did. We won. Kids won. The Bengal Government reverses its decision, now decides to serve eggs in midday meals."
He also referred to the notice he had moved in Parliament on the "urgent need for Midday Meals (with eggs) to nourish kids."
The remarks came after West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday announced that the state government would separately provide eggs to students under the mid-day meal programme, even as ISKCON takes over the responsibility of cooking and supplying meals in all government and government-aided schools in Kolkata as a pilot project from August 1.
Speaking at a School Composite Grant distribution programme at the state secretariat, Nabanna, Adhikari sought to end the uncertainty surrounding the inclusion of eggs in school meals following opposition allegations that the BJP-led state government was attempting to impose a vegetarian diet on students.
The state government also announced financial assistance of more than Rs 296 crore to 80,375 state-run schools during the event.
"While ISKCON will provide pure, satvik and protein-rich meals to students, we are making arrangements to additionally provide eggs to students, keeping in mind their need for a wholesome protein diet, through our Self Help Groups (SHGs)," Adhikari said.
He clarified that the government would provide eggs separately once or twice a week. He also said the state had increased the allocation for primary school students' mid-day meals to Rs 10 per student from Rs 6.78, eliminating the disparity in funding between junior and senior students.
The issue had figured prominently in the state's 2026-27 Budget after reports suggested that ISKCON would be entrusted with the school meal programme.
A section of stakeholders in the education sector raised concerns that handing over the programme to ISKCON could indirectly promote a vegetarian diet and result in eggs being permanently removed from the school menu.
Earlier this month, a public interest litigation was filed before the Calcutta High Court over the issue, following which the court sought an affidavit from the state government.
The controversy intensified after School Education Minister Dipak Barman advocated vegetarian food.
"There are many people in society and in this country and across the world who are completely vegetarian and have lived healthy lives. Vegetarian food also contains sufficient nutritional value, and those who eat vegetarian food receive all the nutrients necessary for building their bodies. Therefore, there is no compulsion or requirement that children must eat eggs for nutrition," Barman had said.
Earlier, O'Brien had accused the BJP of trying to remove eggs from school meals.
"After the fish-eating tamasha during the election campaign, the Gujarat Gymkhana finally reveals itself. New BJP govt at work in Bengal. Throw eggs at rivals. But DEPRIVE CHILDREN of nutrition by taking eggs off from midday meals. Imposing vegetarianism. Bengal rejects this," he had posted on X.
