In Telangana's Narayanpet district, 22 students from a government school were hospitalized on Tuesday after consuming a mid-day meal. The students complained of headaches and stomach aches, raising concerns about the safety and quality of the school lunch program.

According to a police official, the students had consumed sambar and rice in the afternoon before experiencing symptoms such as stomach pain and discomfort. The incident occurred at the Zilla Parishad High School in Maganoor, where over 400 students, along with district authorities, the school headmaster, and teachers, had partaken in the mid-day meal. However, around 3:30 pm, 22 students began exhibiting symptoms including headaches, stomach pain, and vomiting. They were promptly admitted to a hospital, where doctors confirmed their condition to be stable after treatment.

The District Educational Officer (DEO) stated that officials are investigating whether the illnesses were linked to the school lunch. As a precautionary measure, samples were collected from both the school's lunch offerings and snacks procured from nearby shops for laboratory testing. Preliminary information suggests that some of the affected students had also consumed bakery products from outside the school.

One student reported that the potatoes and brinjal served in the meal were inadequately cooked, while another complained of a stomach ache. District authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation to examine all potential causes of the incident.

This is not an isolated incident, as a similar case occurred on November 20, when 17 students from the same school were hospitalized after consuming a mid-day meal.

In light of these events, concerns regarding the quality and safety of mid-day meals in Telangana schools have been amplified. Authorities are under pressure to identify the root cause of these incidents and implement measures to prevent future occurrences. The Telangana Human Rights Commission has sought a detailed report from the Chief Secretary regarding a similar incident where 52 students from a welfare hostel in Jogulamba Gadwal district were hospitalized after dinner, with 32 being discharged and others remaining under observation.