Bengaluru: An order issued by the Education Department has sparked anger, with accusations that the Congress Government is exploiting Hindu sentiments. In a recent order issued by the Education Department, it stated that staff members involved in the preparation of hot meals in Karnataka schools cannot wear bangles. In some parts of the state, there have been incidents of children falling ill due to negligence during the preparation of hot food . In response, several measures have been listed to address these sensitive issues and monitor the situation. One such measure prohibits staff members from wearing bracelets. This order has now become the target of Hindu organisations’ criticism.
The order issued by the office of PM Poshan Director of the Education Department suggests that one member of the SDMC (School Development and Monitoring Committee) should visit the school daily, inspect the kitchen and storage room, and ensure cleanliness and food safety compliance. This directive applies to schools implementing the mid-day meal programme and the Ksheera Bhagya Yojana. It is recommended that the quality of food prepared on the respective day be checked before distributing it to the children. Additionally, nine restrictive directions have been provided for hot cooking preparation that includes wash and clean hands and feet with soap, maintain a clean and dust-free environment in the kitchen, clean utensils and accessories with clean water, ensure the absence of lizards, spiders, cockroaches, and flies on the walls and windows, ensure food grains are free from pests, see that kitchen staff should wear aprons, caps, and gloves, and not wear bangles, keep prepared food containers securely closed, wash raw green vegetables with clean water, and conduct a pre-dispensing clean taste test of prepared food and record opinions.
The directive regarding the prohibition of wearing bangles has sparked outrage among Hindu women, who view it as an infringement on their personal religious freedom. In the state, there are approximately 55,000 kitchen staff members, and a significant number of them wear bangles. Hindu organisations argue that this order encroaches upon personal religious freedom, while critics argue that if there is genuine concern for children’s well-being, women’s organisations should have implemented this rule long ago, as millions of mothers cook at home without wearing bangles.
Women are now questioning whether this issue has arisen since the Congress Government came into power, accusing them of purposefully engaging in divisive politics. Furthermore, Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa stated that he was not aware of the bangle restriction order. He suggested that this notice might have been issued after some problems were discovered, and he promised to look into the matter further.