Lingayat seers threaten protests if Karnataka govt doesn't withdraw serving boiled eggs to school children

Bengaluru: Lingayat seers have threatened to stage protests across Karnataka if the state government does not withdraw its initiative of serving boiled eggs to schoolchildren along with midday meals thrice a week at schools.

Among the Lingayat organisations, who have opposed the initiative, are Rashtriya Basava Dal, Lingayat Dharma Mahasabha, Akkanagalambika Mahila Gana Karyakartharu and Basava Mantapa.

National President of Rashtriya Basava Dal Basavaraj Dhanur said they are opposing boiled eggs for students only at schools. "Let the government serve boiled eggs at their homes," he said.

This decision was taken in the light of tackling instances of malnutrition and anemia in areas, mostly falling under Hyderabad-Karnataka region including Bidar (69.1%), Kalaburagi (72.4%) and others.

Some of the civil society organisations have asked the government not to relent to the pressure of religious and political organisations.

In 2007, JDS-Congress coalition government led by HD Kumaraswamy had withdrawn its initiative of serving eggs to schoolchildren, succumbing to pressure from religious groups.

They also demanded to provide eggs to the students in other parts of the state with their midday meals. These organisations also pressed for serving boiled eggs everyday rather than thrice a week. (UNI)