The Thane Zilla Parishad education department issued a show‑cause notice to a school in Mira Road after a circular advised students not to bring food containing onion, garlic or root vegetables in observance of the Jain festival ‘Paryushan’. The notice was issued by Secondary Education Officer Devidas Mahajan following a complaint from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.
The circular was issued by Seven Square School, owned by BJP MLA Narendra Mehta. The directive was withdrawn after protests from political parties who argued that it represented an attempt to impose religious dietary restrictions on students.
The department cited Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality and personal liberty, and the School Code, arguing that enforcing such restrictions violates these principles. It also warned that imposing religiously based rules on a multi‑faith student body could amount to mental harassment under Sections 13 and 17 of the Right to Education Act.
Seven Square School management is required to submit a written reply within two days. Failure to provide a satisfactory explanation may lead to strict administrative action under the RTE Act and the Maharashtra Self‑Financed Schools Act.
