An educational institution in Thane, operating under the aegis of a Bharatiya Janata Party MLA, has been forced to retract a controversial circular that instructed students to avoid bringing root vegetables such as onions, garlic, potatoes, and beetroots in their tiffin boxes during the Parvatsan festival, a week-long Jain religious observance.
The circular, issued on Thursday, had suggested that parents refrain from packing these particular vegetables in their children's lunch boxes, citing the religious sentiments associated with the festival. In Jain tradition, root vegetables are avoided during Parvatsan because uprooting plants is considered harmful to microscopic organisms and contrary to the principle of non-violence that lies at the heart of the faith.
However, the order sparked an immediate and fierce backlash. Within hours, several political parties and social organizations questioned the appropriateness of a government-aided or recognized school issuing directives based on the dietary customs of one religious community. Critics argued that the circular crossed a line by imposing sectarian preferences in an educational setting and could be seen as endorsing religious discrimination.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) was among the first to condemn the move. MNS spokesperson Yogesh Khare criticized the circular and called for accountability from the concerned authorities. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) parliamentarian Sanjay Raut went further, terming the restriction even more objectionable than issues like "love jihad" and demanding that the school be shut down until appropriate action was taken against those responsible for issuing the order.
Facing mounting pressure and widespread condemnation, the school administration withdrew the circular, acknowledging the误会 (misunderstanding) that had arisen. Officials stated that the guidance had never been intended as a mandatory directive but rather as a suggestion, though they conceded that the communication had been poorly worded and caused unnecessary offense.
The incident has reignited debate over the role of religious considerations in public education in Maharashtra and whether political figures should be using schools as platforms to promote specific religious practices. Education experts have called for clear guidelines to ensure that schools maintain neutrality in matters of faith and custom.
