Mamata Orders Construction Of Dining Rooms In Every State School Having Over 70 Per Cent Muslim Students 

The Trinamool-led West Bengal government has through its Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department (MAMED) issued a directive to officials to find out lists of government schools which have more than 70 per cent Muslim students so the administration can construct dining rooms at said schools, reports India Today.

This action has sparked a fresh political row with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which is calling this move a blatant act of Muslim appeasement in a state were political violence is at a all time high. Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh said, "Why this discrimination between the students on the basis of religion? Is there some other malafide motive behind this segregation? Another conspiracy?"

A directive issued by the District Officer (Minority Affairs) in Coochbehar states."In reference to the no:1173-MD/15011/10/207: dt:14/06/19 received from the Special Secretary, MA and ME Department, Government of West Bengal, you are requested to send the names of the government / government-aided schools having minority students more than 70 per cent as per format given below within June 28 positively. This is for sending a proposal to the aforesaid department for construction of dining hall for mid-day meal in schools."

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool party have long been accused of pandering to the Muslim minority of West Bengal to consolidate votes. After the party came to power in the state, it was criticised from several quarters for its decision to start paying salaries of Imams and Muezzins.