In a time when communal tensions simmer beneath the surface in parts of Bengal, a simple act of friendship between two classmates of a primary school in Malda—sharing a mid-day meal from a single plate—has sparked both hope and controversy.
On Thursday, the Primary School Education Department ordered an official inquiry into the incident, directing the school authorities to explain why the two children were sharing the same plate while eating the government-provided meal.
A video of Soleman Sheikh and Sandeep Saha—third-grade students of Olitola Primary School in Mothabari, Malda—sharing a mid-day meal from the same plate has gone viral on social media, sending out what many see as a powerful message of unity across religious lines.
The two boys, one Muslim and the other Hindu, had previously drawn attention when their assistant teacher, Rabiul Islam, shared a similar video eight months ago when they were in second grade. That earlier video was also celebrated as a symbol of childhood innocence and communal harmony. This week, amid growing unrest in parts of Murshidabad, Rabiul reposted the video, reiterating, “I posted it on social media as a message of harmony. There was no other purpose.”
However, what should have been seen as a heartwarming reminder of unity has instead drawn scrutiny. The Malda District School Inspector (Primary), Malay Mandal, has ordered an official investigation into the incident, directing Sub-Inspector Ayan Banerjee of the Mothabari Circle to look into the matter.
This move has raised eyebrows. Why should a spontaneous moment of bonding between two children trigger bureaucratic concern?
According to an Education Department official, all students are expected to have individual plates and bowls for mid-day meals. In the rare case of a shortage, students are asked to bring their own utensils from home. The official emphasised that the mid-day meal programme is designed to encourage inclusion, where children of all backgrounds sit and eat together—yet, seemingly, not from the same plate.
School Inspector Malay Mandal clarified that the purpose of the inquiry is to evaluate the mid-day meal infrastructure at the school.
“We have been asked to examine the purpose behind the video and whether there are sufficient resources in the school,” he stated.
Headmaster of the school, Mohammad Rezabul Hossain, confirmed that the school has a functioning kitchen, dining area, and individual plates for each student. “Still, in our culture, it is not uncommon for friends to share food,” he added. “The education department needs to be made aware of all aspects.”
Outside the school walls, public reaction has been mixed. On one side, the video is being hailed as a testament to secular values, especially significant at a time when polarisation threatens to divide communities. On the other, some social media users have expressed concern about hygiene and rules, questioning the safety of shared meals.
Professor Achin Chakraborty from the Institute of Development Studies, Kolkata, responded to such concerns by arguing against rigid rules in schools. “Children often share food. If we bind everything with regulations, we kill their spontaneity. That’s not healthy for the school environment,” he said.
He also noted that overall hygiene depends on broader cooking and serving practices, not just whether two children eat from one plate.
For Soleman and Sandeep, the attention surrounding their friendship seems puzzling. Speaking simply and sincerely, they said, “We go to school together. We will go together. We will share food.”
Chakraborty feels, in a landscape increasingly shaped by suspicion and division, perhaps the most genuine lesson comes not from textbooks, but from a shared plate between two children—reminding us of the simple, powerful idea that harmony begins in the smallest acts.
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