A recent directive by the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal has sparked a fresh political row with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) citing it as another instance of Muslim appeasement. The Trinamool Congress (TMC)-led government has decided to construct dining rooms in every state-run school which has more than 70 per cent of Muslim students.
To implement the order, West Bengal's Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department (MAMED) has sought an urgent list of government schools that has more than 70 per cent, Muslim students.
"In reference to the no:1173-MD/15011/10/207: dt:14/06/19 received from the Special Secretary, MA and ME Department, Government of West Bengal, you are requested to send the names of the government / government-aided schools having minority students more than 70 per cent as per format given below within June 28 positively. This is for sending a proposal to the aforesaid department for construction of dining hall for mid-day meal in schools," the directive issued by the District Officer (Minority Affairs) in Coochbehar states.
The circular has been sent to the district education officer and the district inspector of schools to compile a list of state-run and state-aided schools with data mentioning the percentage of minority students in the institution by June 28.