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In a sickening attempt, at least 20 heavily pregnant women in Nadia district, West Bengal were made to sit and pose with a plate full of meal, but were forbidden to eat. The move reportedly took place at a government event to promote “nutritional awareness” among the expecting mothers. What made it even worse, was that the women were later handed food parcels containing a meal of eggs and rice to take home. The incident has outraged the localities and an FIR has been launched against the organisers.
The incident, reported by The Telegraph, noted that at least 20 expected mothers were present on Friday, July 26 event in Shantipur. It was held under the Integrated Child Development Services as part of a series of Supushti Divas (Nutrition Day) held across the state. The report stated that the incident came under notice after a complaint was lodged by a husband of seven months pregnant, Moumita Sandhukhan, who was present there too. Her husband identified as Biswajit Sandhukhan, said that he felt, “humiliated” over their treatment.
The women were asked to sit one by one, before plate full of rice, dal, various kinds of fried vegetables, soybean curry, egg curry and dessert. After taking their photographs, the women were asked to leave and handed over food parcels of eggs and rice. Moumita was quoted saying, “I had not come for the food anyway. Following the officials’ behaviour, I did not even accept the parcel. When I sat down in front of the plate, I was suddenly told not to touch the food because it was only for demonstration. They used the same platter again for the other mothers and took it away after taking their pictures.”
Biswajit has called the treatment “inhuman” in his complaint to the ICDS project officer in Santipur. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is a government programme which is responsible to provide food, preschool services, primary health care, immunisation, health check-ups and referral services to children under six and their mothers. One of the goals is to spread nutritional awareness among pregnant women in rural areas. The ICDS has reportedly ordered a probe into the matter. Again, state minister Shashi Panja has ensured to look into the matter and find out why only one platter was prepared for so many women, attending the event.
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