King George’s Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow has banned the cooking and serving of non-vegetarian food in all hostel messes and canteens with immediate effect, following concerns raised by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel during a recent inspection of the campus.
University officials clarified that the decision applies only to hostel messes and canteens. Students will continue to be allowed to order non-vegetarian food from outside or cook it themselves, according to their personal preference.
The order was issued with the approval of the Dean of Student Welfare and the Chief Proctor.
Governor Raised Concerns Over Hygiene, Not Non-Vegetarian Food
Speaking at KGMU’s convocation ceremony, Governor Anandiben Patel said she had noticed non-vegetarian food being cooked in three hostels during her visit. However, she clarified that she had not directed the university to ban non-vegetarian food.
Instead, Patel expressed concern over hygiene standards, saying expired spices were found being used in two hostel messes serving more than 500 students. She described the use of expired ingredients as serious negligence and instructed the university to improve food quality, strengthen monitoring of hostel messes and ensure better-quality paneer is served to students.
University officials said corrective measures have already been initiated.
A KGMU spokesperson said non-vegetarian food was never part of the official menu in the university’s 18 hostel messes.
“Non-vegetarian food is neither cooked nor served in the 18 messes run by the KGMU administration. There are two or three private messes, which are run by a cluster of students on a cooperative basis where non-vegetarian food items were prepared. However, after the Governor’s remarks, a strict advisory has been issued to them to avoid cooking non-vegetarian items,” the spokesperson said.
Maulana Yaqoob Abbas Says It Is University’s Internal Matter
Reacting to the decision, Maulana Yaqoob Abbas said the issue was an internal administrative matter.
“It is an internal arrangement… this is a decision for the KGMU university administration to make. There is no need for anyone to comment on it. If some students wish to eat non-vegetarian food, they can do so outside,” he said.
Islamic Scholar Urges KGMU to Withdraw Decision
Islamic scholar Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali opposed the move, saying it sent the wrong message from a medical institution.
“More than 61% of Indians are non-vegetarian. From a medical standpoint, non-vegetarian food is clearly beneficial for human health and helps boost immunity. If decisions like this are made at prestigious medical colleges such as KGMU, it sends a very wrong message. I urge the KGMU administration to withdraw this decision,” he said.
Some faculty members also questioned the move, arguing that dietary choices should be left to students.
Samajwadi Party Criticises the Move
Samajwadi Party national spokesperson Fakhrul Hasan Chaand criticised the development and questioned the manner in which the decision was taken.
“The Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel, just two days ago, made a controversial statement regarding schoolgirls. Then came her remarks concerning women preparing for IAS and PCS exams, and now we have this latest verbal statement. In government administration, official directives are not issued verbally. If an order is to be given, it must be in writing,” he said.
He added, “Issuing dictates on what people should eat or drink amounts to an arbitrary, autocratic decree. If the KGMU university administration complies with it, the Samajwadi Party believes it constitutes a violation of both the Constitution and the law.”
Background
KGMU recently came under scrutiny after an alleged Rs 2 crore scam involving the diversion of expensive medicines meant for cancer patients surfaced. The university has initiated an inquiry into the alleged irregularities and removed three contractual staff members pending the investigation.
