Row over Bengal move to ‘appease’ Muslim pupils

Kolkata, June 28

The Mamata Banerjee government was today at the centre of a huge political firestorm over a directive to build dining halls in state-run schools with more than 70 per cent minority students, drawing accusations of “religious discrimination” from the BJP and other opposition parties.

The CM, however, insisted it was an old circular that was long withdrawn but was “dredged up” by an “errant officer”.

The matter was brought into public domain by the BJP’s West Bengal unit president Dilip Ghosh who took to Twitter to slam the government for its directive, calling it a move driven by “malafide motive”.

He uploaded a copy of an order issued by the District Officer of Minority Affairs of Cooch Behar dated June 25 to the district inspector of schools seeking details of facilities with more than 70 per cent minority students.

“In reference to the no: 1173-MD/15011/10/2017: 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 officer wrote.

The BJP, which has been persistently attacking the Trinamool Congress government for alleged appeasement of Muslims, panned the government over the move, which, it claimed, was aimed at securing the ruling party’s vote bank.

“Why this discrimination between students on the basis of religion? Is there some other malafide motive behind this segregation? Another conspiracy? Ghosh tweeted.

Later, talking to reporters, Ghosh alleged the TMC government was only interested in working for the development of the minorities in order to secure its vote bank.

“What wrong have Hindu students done that they can’t avail of the facility of dining halls?” he asked.

Banerjee claimed it was an old circular that had already been withdrawn. Though she said she had no recollection of exactly when the circular was issued and withdrawn, she said it was non-discriminatory. — PTI

Old circular, already withdrawn: Didi

This is an old circular which has already been withdrawn. I think some errant officer dredged out an old circular and issued it without the government’s knowledge. Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal CM

Extreme appeasement: Giriraj

What Mamata Banerjee is doing is extreme appeasement of the minority community. She cannot tolerate those who chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’, but Rohingya infiltrators are acceptable to her. Giriraj Singh, union minister