Why have eggs returned to mid-day meal menu in Kolkata schools? | Explained

The story so far: West BengalWest BengalWest Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday (July 29, 2026) put an end to a controversy over eggs being removed from mid-day meals for schoolchildren in Kolkata. The CM said that along with protein-rich cooked meals provided by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), eggs will be provided separately through self-help groups (SHGs).

The West Bengal government has roped in ISKCON to provide mid-day meals in city schools as a pilot project beginning August 1 this year. Since ISKCON is a religious organisation which promotes vegetarianism, it was believed that eggs will be taken off the mid-day meal menu in Kolkata schools.

Members of Opposition parties in the State, including former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, had raised questions over this move, considering eggs are a good source of protein. The decision to entrust ISKCON with providing mid-day meals in Kolkata schools was also criticised as an attempt by the BJP government in West Bengal to impose vegetarianism. Petitions were also filed before the Calcutta High Court over a religious organisation being given the task of providing mid-day meals without a proper tendering process.