BHOPAL: In a bizarre reaction to the

government's decision to introduce eggs in the state-run mid-day meal programme, leader of opposition (LoP) in the state assembly,

, said that if children were given non-vegetarian food from childhood, they may turn man-eaters. Congress has condemned Bhargava's statement.

"What could be expected from a malnourished government. They can serve eggs to the children. Those who do not eat, force them to eat. If still malnourished, serve them chicken and

meat. But, in India's culture, eating non-vegetarian food is prohibited. If we teach them (eating non-veg) from childhood, they will eat meat and may grow up to become a man-eater," said Bhargava.

The BJP leader further said that Kamal Nath-led state government cannot force people to change their eating habits and nobody could be forced to each eggs. Bhargava's reaction came after state woman and child development minister

announced on Wednesday that the Congress-led government has decided to introduce eggs in mid-day meals offered to children in anganwadis starting from November to tackle malnutrition.

"To control malnutrition in the state, we have decided to provide eggs to the children in the mid-day meal offered in the anaganwadis from the month of November. We aim at ending malnutrition," said minister

Devi.

The BJP has opposed the government's decision and said that there were alternatives available instead of serving eggs to children as all children do not eat eggs and vegetarians will oppose the move.

The Congress has condemned Bhargava's statement and said that BJP has no other political issue to raise before the public. "In its 15-year regime, malnutrition was a major problem among children below the age group of five years but, the BJP leaders did not raise the issue. The minister has clarified that government's priority is children's health," said Congress state spokesperson, Narendra Saluja.