‘Children could fall ill’: Parents protest after ‘embryos’ found in mid-day meal eggs at Jharkhand school

A guardian, Jumman Alam, said the issue came to light when eggs were being distributed to students. “When we cracked open an egg, it turned out to be rotten. It appeared to have embryo-like content inside. We approached the headmaster to tell him to ensure that such eggs are not served to children, as they could fall ill,” he said.

Alam alleged that instead of addressing the complaint, the headmaster reacted aggressively. “He snatched the egg from our hand and threw it down. When we tried to record the incident, he threatened us, saying he could get our work stopped and that we should call whoever we want,” he claimed.

Another parent, Mohammad Aqeel Alam, said the problem was not a one-off incident. “This has been happening for a long time. Earlier too, children were given spoiled food, even biscuits infested with worms. Recently, eggs distributed to students had developing embryos inside,” he alleged, adding that eggs are usually served once or twice a week, with one egg per child.

Parents also alleged that complaints against the school administration had been raised earlier, but no action was taken. “There have been arguments before as well but we ignored them. This time, when threats were issued, we decided to raise the matter… most of the students come from Adivasi, Dalit and minority communities, and the headmaster’s behaviour towards them has been alleged to be careless and insensitive,” a guardian said.

When contacted, District Education Officer Mithila Tudu said she had not received any formal complaint regarding the incident. “I have not received any complaint so far. If you share the video, I will forward it to the senior official. We will take immediate action,” she told The Indian Express, indicating that middle schools fall under the jurisdiction of the District Superintendent of Education (DSE) and that he would be informed immediately.

Repeated attempts to contact headmaster Ajay Jha for comment were unsuccessful.

Shubham Tigga is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, presently based in Pune, where he covers the intersections of infrastructure, labor, and the modern economy. His reporting focuses on civil aviation, urban mobility, the gig economy, and workers' unions, providing critical insights into how transit and commercial sectors impact the daily lives of citizens. Expertise & Background Before moving to Pune, he reported extensively from his home state of Chhattisgarh, where he focused on Indigenous (Adivasi) issues, environmental justice, and grassroots struggles in mainland India. This experience gives him a unique lens through which he analyzes the impact of large-scale infrastructure projects on local communities. Academic Foundation He is an alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), where he honed his skills in investigative reporting and ethical journalism. His academic training, combined with his field experience in Central India, allows him to navigate complex socio-economic landscapes with nuance and accuracy. You can reach out to him on LinkedIn ... Read More

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