 of India has taken suo motu cognizance of a deeply disturbing media report that over 100 children fell ill after consuming a mid-day meal){kind=link}
MAY 01: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India has taken suo motu cognizance of a deeply disturbing media report that over 100 children fell ill after consuming a mid-day meal at a government school in Mokama, Patna district, Bihar. The incident, which reportedly occurred on April 24, 2025, has triggered widespread concern and outrage.
According to the report published on April 25, approximately 500 children had partaken in the mid-day meal. Alarmingly, it is alleged that a dead snake was discovered in the food, which was removed by the cook before serving the meal to students. Soon after consumption, several children began experiencing symptoms of food poisoning, prompting emergency medical attention.
Reacting to the shocking revelations, the NHRC has noted that if the reported facts are accurate, they constitute a grave violation of children’s human rights. In response, the Commission has issued formal notices to the Chief Secretary of the Government of Bihar and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Patna, demanding a comprehensive report within two weeks.
The NHRC has specifically directed that the report must include detailed information on the current health status of the affected children and outline the steps taken to provide them with medical care and ensure their safety. It also seeks clarity on how such a lapse occurred in the delivery of a centrally sponsored welfare scheme meant to support child nutrition and education.
The incident has sparked protests in the local area, with enraged villagers reportedly blocking roads in response to what they see as administrative negligence and a threat to the safety of their children.
The NHRC’s intervention underscores the urgent need for accountability and improved oversight in the implementation of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, especially in rural and under-resourced areas. The Commission has reiterated the state’s duty to uphold the dignity and health of schoolchildren and prevent such lapses in the future.