The Cooch Behar district magistrate office (minority section) under Mamata Government has on Tuesday, issued circular directing state-run schools to construct a dining room for mid-day meals in all government or government-aided schools with 70 per cent or more minority students.
To implement the order, West Bengal’s Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department (MAMED) has sought an urgent list of state-run schools that have more than 70 per cent, Muslim students.
“In reference to the no:1173-MD/15011/10/207: 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 is 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 directive issued by the District Officer (Minority Affairs) in Cooch Behar states.
According to the circular, the district education officer and the district inspector of schools are required to compile a list, by June 28, providing data that mentions the percentage of Muslim students in various state-run institutions.
BJP state President Dilip Ghosh, however, slammed Mamata government for playing appeasement politics. Uploading a copy of the circular on his Twitter handle, Ghosh wrote, “The West Bengal Government has issued a circular whereby it has directed the school authorities where 70 per cent or more students are from the Muslim community to reserve a dining hall with seating arrangements for them. Why this discrimination between the students on the basis of religion? Is there some other malafide motive behind this segregation? Another conspiracy?”
https://twitter.com/DilipGhoshBJP/status/1144274540966531072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Mamata Banerjee has been receiving a lot of flak for her appeasement politics. Right after the general elections results were announced, Mamata had defended her politics by saying that ‘if a cow gives one milk, one has to be prepared for its kicks also’. She had said, “I like Muslims, no? I will go there a hundred times. ‘Je goru dudh dei tar lathio khete hoi; (if a cow gives milk, one has to be prepared for its kicks also),” she said, meaning, she would continue Muslim appeasement if it continues to benefit her.