Mira Road School Food Rules Trigger Debate Over Religious Practices
Mira Road, 10th September 2026: A circular issued by Seven Square Academy in Mira Road asking parents to avoid sending non-vegetarian food, onion, garlic, potatoes, beetroot and other root vegetables in students’ tiffins during the Paryushan period has sparked a controversy.
The school issued the circular for the eight-day Paryushan period, which began on September 8. The communication asked parents to follow the dietary restrictions as part of the Jain festival, which focuses on non-violence, self-discipline and spiritual reflection.
The school is run by the Seven Eleven Education Society. According to The Times of India, BJP MLA Narendra Mehta’s wife is the chairperson of the society, while other members of his family are also associated with it.
The circular has drawn objections from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which alleged that religious practices were being imposed on students from different communities. MNS functionary Sachin Pokle submitted a complaint to the civic education officer and another complaint to the Human Rights Commission.
Mira-Bhayandar Education Officer Sulabha Watare said she had received information about the issue and would inspect the school before commenting on the matter. A senior education department official also told TOI that such a decision could require approval from parent-school representative bodies such as the Parent Teacher Association and School Management Committee.
Mehta defended the circular, saying the intention was to encourage students to eat nutritious food and avoid the items mentioned in the communication. He also compared the practice with families voluntarily avoiding certain foods during festivals such as Ganeshotsav and Navratri.
The issue also drew a political response from Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, who questioned whether dietary choices should be prescribed to students in a culturally diverse state.
Seven Square Academy’s website describes its canteen as serving wholesome vegetarian meals, with the menu curated by qualified dieticians.
The controversy comes amid other Paryushan-related discussions in the Mira-Bhayandar area. The civic bodies have appealed to meat shops to remain closed on the first and last days of the festival, a move that has also drawn opposition from some groups. Officials have clarified that the appeal does not amount to a compulsory ban on meat shops.
