West Bengal to expand ISKCON’s role in mid-day meal scheme, says Chief Minister

MP, July 17, 2026, Kolkata : Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday announced that the State government would expand the International Society for Krishna Consciousness’ (ISKCON) role in the mid-day meal scheme across West Bengal, beginning with schools in Kolkata from August 1 before extending the initiative to Nadia district and subsequently the rest of the State.

The announcement comes amid an ongoing political row over the government’s decision to entrust the programme to ISKCON.

Speaking at the Rath Yatra celebrations organised by ISKCON at its Albert Road temple in Kolkata, the Chief Minister defended the government’s decision to involve the organisation in the flagship school nutrition programme.

He said the partnership was aimed at strengthening welfare initiatives and improving the quality of meals served to students.

Adhikari offered prayers before the deities of Radha-Madhav, performed the ceremonial aarti and formally inaugurated this year’s Rath Yatra celebrations.

He also praised ISKCON’s long-standing contribution to social service and justified the government’s decision to entrust it with the scheme.

The government’s decision has triggered a political row, particularly over concerns that ISKCON’s vegetarian menu does not include eggs, raising questions about the nutritional needs of children enrolled in government schools.

Critics have argued that eggs are an important source of protein for students from economically weaker families.

Responding to the criticism, the Chief Minister said: “The primary goal is to ensure that every child receives a wholesome and nutritious meal. Most beneficiaries of the scheme come from middle-class, lower-middle-class and economically disadvantaged families. Children from affluent families generally do not depend on this programme. Therefore, providing nutritious food is essential to combating malnutrition.”

He also stressed that meals must be prepared and distributed in a clean and transparent manner.

“There should be no scope for corruption in this programme,” he said.

Dressed in a yellow kurta and white dhoti, Adhikari later pulled the ropes of the Rath Yatra chariot at the ISKCON procession in Kolkata.

Rath Yatra was celebrated across the State, with devotees gathering in large numbers at traditional venues including Mahesh in Hooghly, Barasat in North 24-Parganas and Mayapur in Nadia.

The Barasat Rath Yatra Udyapan Committee celebrated the annual festival with a colourful procession in which the local BJP MLA and other dignitaries participated.

The procession began near the Nabapally Shiva Temple, passed through Nabapally Kathaltala and concluded at Ashok Colony.

Similar scenes were witnessed at the Digha Jagannath Temple, built during the previous Trinamool Congress government.

Later in the day, the Chief Minister travelled to the centuries-old Mahaprabhu Temple in East Midnapore, where he inaugurated the Rath Yatra and played the khol, the traditional drum used in Vaishnav kirtan.

Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul also participated in Rath Yatra celebrations in Asansol, inaugurating the historic 190-year-old chariot of the Searsole Rajbari in Raniganj alongside PWD Minister Ajay Poddar.