Over 100 school children in Mokama, Bihar, fell sick after eating a mid-day meal that was reportedly contaminated by a dead snake. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken serious note of the incident and started an investigation on its own.

The incident happened on April 24 at Upkramit Madhya Vidyalaya in Mekra village, located in Patna district’s Mokama block. As per locals and parents, a snake accidentally fell into the cooking pot while the food was being prepared. Although it was removed, the cook still went ahead and served the food to around 500 students.

Shortly after eating, many children complained of stomach pain and nausea. Several were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Thankfully, their condition is now said to be stable.This disturbing case has raised serious questions about food safety in schools and sparked outrage among parents and the public. The NHRC has demanded a detailed report from the authorities, and a proper investigation is underway.

In a statement, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said that if the reports are true, the incident is a serious violation of the students’ rights.Villagers and eyewitnesses said that some students were forced or even threatened to eat the meal, even if they didn’t want to. A few children claimed that after students started falling sick, the teachers locked the school and ran away.

The incident has caused public anger. Upset locals blocked National Highway 31 (NH31), demanding quick action against those responsible at the school. In response, the NHRC sent notices to the Chief Secretary of Bihar and the Senior Superintendent of Police in Patna. They have been asked to submit a full report within two weeks, including details of the children’s condition. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Shubham Kumar confirmed that a proper investigation is already underway.

The incident has once again put a spotlight on the safety of the mid-day meal scheme, a program that was meant to nourish children, not harm them. Started nearly a century ago in 1925 in Chennai, the scheme was designed to fight child hunger and encourage children from poor families to attend school. It has changed countless lives for the better. But time and again concerns over how the food is handled and whether it’s safe to eat keep surfacing.

This isn’t the first time Bihar has seen such a tragedy. In 2013, a heartbreaking incident shook the entire nation when 23 children died after eating a mid-day meal that was found to contain toxic pesticides. It’s a painful reminder that stronger checks and better care are urgently needed to protect our children.