After children were served mid-day meal on scrap paper in Sheopur, Rahul Gandhi criticises BJP government in Madhya Pradesh

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Madhya Pradesh has “even stolen” the children’s plate, and development is “just an illusion”, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Saturday (November 8, 2025), referring to an incident of school children being served their mid-day meal on scrap paper in Sheopur district.

Mr. Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, saying they “should feel ashamed” over the incident.

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The incident had taken place on November 3 at a government primary school in Hullpur village under Vijaypur block of Sheopur. A video showing children sitting on the floor with food being served on pieces of scrap paper has gone viral on social media. This prompted the district administration to suspend the school in-charge, Bhogiram Dhakad, and cancel the contract of the self-help group responsible for providing food at the school.

The mid-day meal is served under the Central government’s flagship Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM Poshan) scheme.