Controversy erupts over ‘cow meat eating’ line in Gujarat preschool

Preschoolers in Gandhidham, Kutch, were embroiled in controversy after a study page on cow characteristics went viral on social media.

A person has shared the photo of the page of the study material on social media with caption “G D Goenka toddler house is asking the little children to eat cow’s meat.”

The GD Goenka Toddler House clarified that the syllabus’s statement that “we can eat its (cow’s) meat” was not meant to offend anyone following parent protests on Monday. UKG, LKG, and daycare are run by the Montessori school.

The study guide page features a caricature of a cow along with its attributes, including appearance, diet, and voice. “We can eat its meat,” said one of the lines.

According to the school, Pinterest was the source of this study material. This is a social media and picture sharing website that operates online. That was not to be offensive to people’s feelings. The intention was to teach them never to eat meat.

The district primary education officer said that the preschool is not under their purview, but in response to this complaint, he has asked his subordinates to document the parents’ and school officials’ statements. Additionally, he gave them instructions to find out if any trustees or teachers had made any contentious remarks.

According to the principal of the school, the purpose of teaching the students that “we can eat cow meat” was to convey to them that they shouldn’t eat any animal’s flesh. Cows are revered and worshipped.