Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Bhayandar School Faces Notice Over Methi Tiffin Charge
A school in Bhayandar is being questioned about rules for students’ lunchboxes.
A student reportedly brought a dish containing methi, also called fenugreek.
The school allegedly said methi was not allowed and gave the student food from its canteen instead.
Reports disagree about whether the student was charged Rs 20 or Rs 50.
The school said the Rs 50 payment was for the replacement food, not a fine.
The rules were linked to Jain food practices during the Paryushan festival.
A civic education officer sent the school a notice asking for an explanation.
The school had not officially responded in the reports.
Tapovan Vidyalaya in Bhayandar faces a show-cause notice over a reported charge for a student’s methi-filled tiffin.
Reports differ on the amount, citing either Rs 20 or Rs 50.
The school allegedly prohibited methi and other foods linked to Jain dietary practices during Paryushan.
The school said a charge, reported as Rs 50, paid for an alternative canteen dish because methi was prohibited.
The Mira-Bhayandar civic education department said schools cannot impose such food restrictions or fines under the Right to Education Act.
- Who
- Tapovan Vidyalaya, the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation Education Department, and MNS official Robert D'Souza are involved.
- What
- The civic education department issued a show-cause notice over alleged restrictions on lunchbox foods and a reported charge after a student brought methi.
- When
- The notice was reported as issued on September 17 or September 18, 2026; one report was dated September 22, 2026.
- Where
- Tapovan Vidyalaya in Bhayandar East, Maharashtra.
- Why
- The notice followed complaints that the school restricted methi and other foods and charged a student after providing replacement canteen food.
Civic Authorities and Complainant
School Administration
Food restrictions
Civic Authorities and Complainant
The civic department and Robert D'Souza said schools cannot restrict students from bringing particular foods or impose charges for them under the Right to Education Act.
School Administration
The school reportedly prohibited methi, root vegetables, and some other foods because many enrolled students are Jain and the restrictions were linked to Paryushan dietary practices.
Meaning of the payment
Civic Authorities and Complainant
The complaint characterized the payment as a fine for bringing methi; earlier allegations also cited Rs 50 charges for foods such as onions, potatoes, ginger, beetroot, and carrots.
School Administration
The school told the parents that the reported Rs 50 charge paid for an alternative dish from the canteen because methi was prohibited.
School authority
Civic Authorities and Complainant
D'Souza said the school's minority-institution status does not authorize it to impose such fines or fees, and the civic department warned of possible action if the explanation is unsatisfactory.
School Administration
Tapovan Vidyalaya is described as a registered minority institution with rights to frame internal rules, but its official response to the notice was still awaited.
- School
- Tapovan Vidyalaya, Bhayandar East
- Civic authority
- Education Department of the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation
- Food at issue
- Methi, or fenugreek
- Reported charge
- Reports cite Rs 20 or Rs 50; the school described a Rs 50 charge for alternative canteen food
- Notice date
- Reported as September 17 or September 18, 2026
- Complainant
- Robert D'Souza, a Maharashtra Navnirman Sena official
- Relevant regulation
- Right to Education Act
