The Politics of Eggs in India’s Schools

Sixteen Indian states have excluded eggs from school midday meal programs due to religious and cultural mandates, despite eggs being a vital, cost-effective source of essential nutrients for malnourished children. The article argues that this decision prioritizes sociocultural orthodoxy over public health, noting that egg inclusion is statistically linked to lower rates of child stunting and wasting. Ultimately, it asserts that state welfare programs should focus on nutritional outcomes rather than becoming a battlefield for religious politics.