Students of Sri Rama Vidya Kendra, Kalladka, Bantwal, staged a protest against the state government for withdrawing the grants for the students of Kallada and Punacha schools.

Flashing the empty plates and raising slogans against the chief minister, thousands of students, who gathered in front of Taluk Office at B C Road on Friday, said that the Congress-led state government has provided ‘Hunger Bhagya’ to children.

Addressing the protestors, student leaders asked the district in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai what will he do if children in his family are denied midday meals in the school.

“The funds provided by Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple towards the midday meals in the schools from the past 10 years has been stopped now, according per the orders by the state government’s Muzrai department. Goddess Mookambika will teach a lesson to those who have done the injustice.

The chief minister, who claims support to Ahinda schools, has now changed his stand. He must remember that the grants for midday meals in 52 schools in the state is being provided by temples. The state government should feel ashamed of itself for denying mid-day meal to children belonging to Ahinda communities,” they said.

A parent said that his two children are studying at Sri Rama Vidya Kendra, Kalladka, from the past several years. The children were provided free midday meals. The facility is now stopped for political reasons, he charged.

Kalladka Matru Samiti members Panipa M, Shobha, Asha Prasad, Devika and others submitted a memorandum to tahsildar on the occasion. An appeal sent to chief minister, governor and the president.

Police security was tightened on the protest venue.

Kalladka school students protest against cancellation of midday meal grants