In a startling incident that has caught national attention, children at a government middle school in Hullpur village of Vijaypur Block, Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh, were photographed and filmed eating their mid-day meals on torn sheets of scrap and newspaper instead of clean plates.
The children sat on the bare ground, often outside under the sun, with no proper seating or dining arrangements. This blatant neglect of hygiene and dignity has sparked outrage among parents, social activists, and citizens alike.
The disturbing visuals surfaced on social media on November 5, 2025, quickly drawing condemnation from various quarters. It paints a grim picture of the state of implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM Poshan) scheme, the government’s flagship programme for child nutrition and education support.
श्योपुर की तस्वीर है, मिड-डे मील रद्दी अखबार में परोसा जा रहा है
— Anurag Dwary (@Anurag_Dwary) November 6, 2025
मिड-डे मील अब प्रधानमंत्री पोषण शक्ति निर्माण टाइप कुछ हो गया है 2023 बीजेपी ने घोषणापत्र में इसमें पौष्टिक भोजन देने की बात कही थी, पौष्टिक तो दिख रहा है फिलहाल परोसा कैसे जाए ये तय हो जाता @GargiRawat @manishndtv pic.twitter.com/ecrHIeLgu5
Official Response: Action and Accountability
Following the viral outrage, Sheopur authorities reacted swiftly. According to an articled by Free Press Journal, District Collector Arpit Verma ordered an immediate inquiry into the matter, holding school officials and the assigned self-help group (SHG) responsible for the distribution accountable.
Verma emphasized that the administration does not tolerate such disregard for children’s welfare and assured that stricter monitoring mechanisms and corrective measures will be put in place to prevent recurrence.
Show-cause notices were also served to those found negligent in the supply and preparation of meals. Despite these assurances, community trust has been severely shaken, as similar scandals have surfaced in several other districts in Madhya Pradesh and across India in recent years.
Persistent Challenges
This incident underscores the broader, ongoing challenges plaguing India’s mid-day meal scheme, designed to feed over 12 crore children nationwide daily. Reports from multiple states document fraudulent practices such as forging student attendance lists to divert food grains, misuse of funds intended for procurement of quality ingredients, and serving stale or unhygienic food.
In many areas, funds allocated for the scheme reportedly see significant leakage, with allegations of up to 90% embezzlement at various administrative levels. This systemic corruption not only compromises children’s nutrition but also undermines efforts to reduce school dropout rates and improve child health indices.
Despite periodic probes and administrative interventions, lack of stringent oversight and gaps in accountability mechanisms have allowed these practices to persist.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Logical Indian views the current crisis as a call to action for citizens, policymakers, and administrators alike. The mid-day meal programme symbolizes the state’s commitment to nurturing the health, education, and wellbeing of its youngest citizens. When this sacred trust is violated by corruption and apathy, it dishonours not only those children but the very ideals of inclusive development.
We urge transparent audits, community participation in monitoring, and technological solutions such as real-time tracking of food supply and meal distribution to rebuild transparency and accountability. Moreover, sensitising officials and creating strong deterrents against corruption must be priorities.
In a society that values empathy and coexistence, ensuring no child is subjected to humiliation while accessing their fundamental rights should be non-negotiable.
Mid-day meals are being served to children on raddi-newspaper and in filthy conditions in Sheopur, MP.
— THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) November 7, 2025
Just search “mid-day meal scam” on Google and you’ll find hundreds of cases across the country. Money meant to feed children is being looted openly. There is no conscience, no… pic.twitter.com/FrbC5yyDDz
