National child rights commission orders probe into alleged DYFI disruption of mid-day meal, assault of cook at school in Kerala’s Kannur

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has ordered an inquiry into allegations that Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) activists disrupted a mid-day meal at Manathana Government School, Peravoor, Kannur, Kerala, after assaulting a cook and destroying food meant for students.

According to a complaint filed by M. Arya Laxmi, state joint secretary, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), during an SFI-led strike on July 10, a group led by DYFI block joint secretary Akshaya Manoj allegedly entered the school promises and assaulted cook-cum-helper Vasantha while she was preparing food under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM Poshan) scheme. The complainant alleged that the assault caused burn injuries to Ms. Vasantha and that food grains meant for children were destroyed.

The complaint stated that the act was aimed at disrupting their statutory mid-day meal, thereby “inducing hunger among children and compelling their early departure from school, impacting afternoon classes.”

Ms. Arya said that such disruption violated the National Food Security Act 2013 and the Mid-Day Meal Rules 2015 which guarantee a free cooked meal to children up to Class 6 on all school working days.

She observed that the alleged action undermined key objectives of the scheme. The complaint also flagged potential psychological harm to children.

Ms. Arya in her complaint sought legal action against those involved. She also expressed apprehensions about a fair investigation under the Kerala government.

The NCPCR has directed the District Collector to conduct an inquiry and take necessary action, with direct intimation to the complainant.