Noida school faces criticism from parents for banning non-vegetarian food; principal clarifies it as a ‘respectful request’

The Delhi Public School (DPS) in Noida on Wednesday issued a circular urging parents to avoid putting non-vegetarian food in their children’s lunch boxes, sparking controversy.

In response, Supriti Chauhan, principal of Sector 132 DPS-Gautam Buddh Nagar, clarified the matter the next day, saying that the circular was “just a respectful request”.

Chauhan clarified in a statement on Thursday: “This is not instructionbut only a request. We issue such notices every year, and this year’s notice is nothing new. No ban, no directive, no suggestion… just a request for respect,” it was reported hindustan times.

The main contents of the circular are as follows:

A circular issued Wednesday by the chancellor’s office listed “two main considerations” for the request.

First up is health and safety: “Non-vegetarian food cooked in the morning and consumed at lunch can pose serious health risks if not properly stored and handled, so we put the health of our students first,” the circular states.

Second, inclusion and respect: “Our school values ​​diversity and promotes a culture of inclusion. By maintaining a vegetarian environment, we ensure that all students feel respected and comfortable when eating together, regardless of their dietary preferences or restrictions.”

Circular face parent bounce

The notice has sparked a backlash from some parents who see it as an attempt to control their children’s food choices. “Vegetarian food can also go bad easily, so restricting non-vegetarian food is unnecessary,” an anonymous parent told the magazine. “Besides, providing children with nutritious meals is the prerogative of parents and schools should not interfere.”

Manoj Kataria, founder of the Gautama Bodhi Nagar Parents Welfare Association, echoed the sentiment. “Every student in the school comes from a different culture and has different eating habits, and we welcome them to develop their own habits. Asking for non-vegetarian food restricts parents’ right to choose the food for their children,” Kataria said.

Meanwhile, some parents also supported the move. One parent, Pallavi Rai, said, “Educational institutions are like temples for children and eating non-vegetarian food there is not advisable. Also, most of the students in the school are vegetarians, so this notification is a good move.”