1.1 The West Bengal Government has issued a circular whereby it has directed the school authorities where 70 % or m… https://t.co/KQ1voPYgFl — Dilip Ghosh (@DilipGhoshBJP) 1561651284000

KOLKATA: The Mamata Banerjee government was Friday at the centre of a huge political firestorm over a directive to build dining halls in state-run schools with more than 70 per cent minority students, drawing accusations of "religious discrimination" from the BJP and other opposition parties.Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, however, insisted it was an old circular that was long withdrawn but was "dredged up" by an "errant officer".Asserting that the direction was not aimed at dividing students in any way, she said the circular was worded in the manner to figure out whether minority students are in greater numbers so that "we could channelise Minority Welfare department funds into this scheme" and it was meant to benefit all ."That's the government of India guideline. We are following that. It's a technical matter, nothing more," Banerjee told reporters in her state assembly chamber."The idea is to pool in funds from different departments so that the scheme can be effectively implemented. It was not supposed to divide students in any way," she clarified.This was supposed to be for schools which do not have dining halls and where students have to eat outside under the sun. It is meant for all, she stated.A row erupted over the West Bengal government 's directive with the BJP and other opposition parties accusing the Trinamool Congress of creating a communal divide in the state.However, senior TMC leader and minister of state for minority affairs, Giasuddin Mollah dismissed the allegations as baseless and defended the decision by saying the ongoing project will benefit all students.West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh uploaded on Twitter a copy of the directive by Cooch Behar district magistrate office (minority section) on Tuesday asking the district inspector of schools to send the names of government-run and government-aided schools having more than 70 per cent minority students by Friday, for sending a proposal to construct dining halls for mid-day meals in schools."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," he tweeted."Why this discrimination between the students on the basis of religion? Is there some other mala fide motive behind this segregation? Another conspiracy?" Ghosh asked.Giasuddin Mollah, said, "Our department is working to upgrade infrastructure of minority-dominated general institutions for the overall development of all students.""The dining halls for mid-day meals will benefit all students, and not just Muslims. The funds has been sanctioned so we sought for a list of such schools."Leader of opposition in the state assembly and senior Congress leader Abdul Mannan criticised the state government over the order and said it cannot just segregate students on the basis of religion.Senior CPM leader Sujan Chakraborty said, "Students cannot be discriminated on the basis of religion. If a dining hall is being created it should be for all. We condemn such move."Ghosh alleged that the Mamata Banerjee government is only interested in working for the development of Muslims in the state."The TMC government is only interested in working for the development of the minorities, in order to secure its vote bank," he said and asked, "What wrong has the Hindu students done that it can't avail the facility of dining halls."