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What began with a toddler’s charming plea for biryani and chicken fry has stirred up more than just appetites—it has brought to light a long-standing national controversy over the role of non veg in children’s nutrition programs. A viral video of Trijal S Sundhar, fondly known as Sanku, expressing his love for biryani prompted the Kerala government to rethink what’s on the plate at its anganwadis. The result: a revamped, standardised menu featuring egg biryani, pulav, dal payasam, soya dry curry, and nutri laddus—served across all government-run childcare centres.

While the move has won praise for improving meal diversity and nutritional value, it has also brought back into focus the contentious issue of including eggs or non-veg in state-run nutrition schemes—a subject that has divided India for over a decade.

Kerala, TN Among Other States To Include Eggs

Malnutrition remains a pressing concern across India, especially in rural and tribal belts. Anganwadis—established in 1975 under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)—are frontline institutions in addressing this challenge by providing meals, healthcare, and preschool education to underserved children.

Kerala’s decision places it alongside other southern states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, which have long recognised eggs as an essential part of child nutrition. In Tamil Nadu, anganwadi children aged 2–5 receive three eggs a week, while younger children are served one egg weekly. Karnataka provides eggs two to three times a week, tailoring portions to different age groups and supplementing with milk for those who don’t consume eggs.

Yet, this progressive approach has yet to find acceptance in several other states, where cultural and religious sentiments often outweigh nutritional logic.

'Non Veg' Plate: Politics & Controversies Around It

Despite their proven benefits, eggs have often get entangled in political and ideological debates. In 2015, then Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan rejected a plan to introduce eggs in anganwadi meals, citing the state’s vegetarian ethos, reported First Post. Similarly, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh continue to adhere to vegetarian-only meal policies in state-run nutrition programs.

Karnataka too once faced similar resistance. In 2007, the state’s BJP-led government shelved a proposal to include eggs in school meals after pushback from religious groups, as per Frontline.

Elsewhere, food-based restrictions and classifications have sparked concern. In Delhi, some schools have discouraged non-vegetarian lunches, prompting accusations of caste and religious discrimination. In Maharashtra, a controversial directive proposed adding coloured dots to student ID cards—green for vegetarians, red for non-vegetarians—to simplify meal distribution. Following this, educators and activists opposed that this could deepen social divides at an early age.

Goa, too, rolled back plans to introduce eggs in midday meals after opposition from parents in a pilot program.

Opposition has typically stemmed from Hindu and Jain communities, where vegetarianism is considered a core value. Consequently, even scientifically-backed nutritional reforms have been delayed or dismissed.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has clarified that students are entitled to midday meals under the Right to Education, however, it also ruled in 2023 that they cannot demand a specific menu. This came in response to a challenge against the Lakshadweep administration's removal of meat from midday meals, as per a report on Deccan Herald. The court stated that determining meal content lies outside its jurisdiction.

As more states re-evaluate their anganwadi meal plans, the non veg food continues to be more than just food—it’s a symbol of the larger debate between science, tradition, and policy.