West Bengal: The fight over eggs in India's mid-day meals - BBC News

West Bengal's move to replace eggs in some school meals has sparked a wider debate over nutrition and choice.

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Nutrition campaigners say eggs are one of the cheapest and most effective sources of protein for children

Eggs or no eggs?

This question has dominated Indian social media and headlines after the eastern state of West Bengal announced last week that eggs would be replaced with vegetarian alternatives in some government school lunches as part of a pilot project.

The scheme, better known as the midday meal programme, provides free cooked lunches to children in government and government-aided schools.

For millions of underprivileged children, it is the most nutritious - and sometimes only - meal they eat all day. The scheme has long been credited with improving nutrition, reducing hunger and encouraging children to stay in school.