A recent directive by the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal has sparked a fresh political row with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) citing it as another instance of Muslim appeasement. The Trinamool Congress (TMC)-led government has decided to construct dining rooms in every state-run school which has more than 70 per cent of Muslim students.

To implement the order, West Bengal's Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department (MAMED) has sought an urgent list of government schools that has 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 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 Coochbehar states.

The circular has been sent to the district education officer and the district inspector of schools to compile a list of state-run and state-aided schools with data mentioning the percentage of minority students in the institution by June 28.

Questioning the government's move, Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh said, "Why this discrimination between the students on the basis of religion? Is there some other malafide motive behind this segregation? Another conspiracy?"

The West Bengal government has clarified the decision with MoS for Minority Affairs Giasuddin Mollah saying that it is an ongoing project being carried out by the Minority Affairs department.

As per it's mandate, the department is working to upgrade infrastructure minority-dominated general institutions for the overall development of all students.

Giasuddin Mollah also said that the newly constructed dining halls for mid-day meals will benefit all students, and not just Muslims.

He clarified that since the fund for the halls is being sanctioned by the Minority Affairs department, therefore the upgradation will only be possible in schools having a sizeable population of Muslim students.

However, the CPI(M) has slammed the Mamata government, saying that the students cannot be discriminated against.

CPI(M) MLA Sujan Chakraborty said, "This is condemnable...Students cannot be discriminated on the basis of religion...If a dining hall is being created it should be for all...The basic principle of the mid-day meal scheme is equality."