A contentious debate has emerged in India following the decision by West Bengal's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government to replace eggs with vegetarian alternatives in some school meals as part of a pilot project. The midday meal programme, which provides free lunches to millions of underprivileged children, has been credited with improving nutrition and reducing hunger. Critics argue that the move is driven by religious or ideological beliefs and may compromise the nutritional value of meals for growing children. The opposition All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) has accused the BJP government of trying to impose vegetarianism on schoolchildren, while some have suggested a middle path allowing students to choose their meal options. The debate renews focus on India's school meal scheme, one of the world's largest, serving over 110 million children nationwide. The row has also brought attention to Iskcon, the Hindu group chosen to prepare meals for schools in Kolkata, and their commitment to providing nutritious and hygienic food for students.