Maach bhaat will now be available for just Rs 5 at 400 canteens across Bengal
The latest announcement comes after leaders of the Trinamool Congress alleged during the high-voltage Assembly election campaign earlier this year that the BJP would ban fish, meat and eggs — staples of the Bengali diet — if it came to power in the state.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday announced that fish-and-rice meals would be provided for Rs 5 at state government-run canteens across the state.
Speaking at an administrative meeting in Kalyani, Adhikari said the subsidised meal would be rolled out at 400 dedicated canteens across West Bengal.
The latest announcement comes after leaders of the Trinamool Congress alleged during the high-voltage Assembly election campaign earlier this year that the BJP would ban fish, meat and eggs — staples of the Bengali diet — if it came to power in the state.
MAMATA VS BJP OVER FISH
At a public meeting in April, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee targeted the BJP over Bengal's dietary identity: "Bengal lives on fish and rice. You (BJP) are telling Bengal people you can’t have fish, you cannot have meat, you cannot have eggs — what will they eat then?"
However, the BJP denied these allegations and assured that the party would not take any such action if it came to power.
In fact, several BJP leaders, including Anurag Thakur, publicly participated in maach-bhaat (fish and rice) feasts and even carried fish during nomination rallies to project their affinity with Bengali culture.
"We are eating meat, fish and rice. The BJP has its own governments in 16 states. NDA has its government in 20 states and there is no restriction anywhere on anyone’s speech, food or worship. But, Mamata Banerjee... is resorting to spreading fear, confusion and rumours," Thakur said.
RS 5 MEALS IN BENGAL
Subsidised canteens serving meals for Rs 5 have long been popular across West Bengal.
The scheme, launched by former Chief Minister Banerjee in February 2021, introduced the now well-known ‘Maa’ canteens, which typically operate between 12.30 pm and 3 pm and serve rice, dal, vegetables and egg curry.
The West Bengal government had allocated Rs 100 crore for the scheme in the 2021 state budget.
At the time, however, Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh had criticised the initiative, calling it a political gimmick ahead of the Assembly elections.
Five years later, with the BJP now in power in the state, the expansion of subsidised canteens offering fish and rice appears aimed at addressing concerns over the party’s perceived stance on Bengal’s cultural food identity.