Mumbai: On Thursday, the issue of a dead lizard that was found in the meal served to students belonging to backward classes in Chembur rocked the Lower House.

The government was cornered by its own members over the issue. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mumbai chief  Ashish Shelar, an MLA from Bandra, asked the minister whether or not the government should impose the Atrocities Act against the contractor for serving such food to students. To this, minister of state for social justice Dilip Kamble said provisions of Atrocities Act would be applicable in cases of adulteration of food served in hostels of backward class students.

In February this year, students of Sant Eknath Boys Hostel, run by the social justice department in Chembur, which is meant for the backward classes, were served food in which students found a dead lizard. The police then got involved with the social justice ministry and asked the officials concerned to conduct an inquiry into the matter.

Mr Shelar justified his demand, saying that if lizards, pieces of glass bangles and such hazardous things are being found in food, why shouldn’t the Atrocities Act be imposed against the contractors who supply meals? Mr Kamble replied that those contractors who serve food in hostels for backward classes and who have erred will be booked under the Act.

Also, BJP MLA Sardar Tara Singh raised the issue of the pathetic condition of these hostels and expressed his demand for the minister to visit them. He said, “I visited the hostels and found that they are in horrible condition. I said the minister should visit all these hostels with me, and let him see what kind of food is being served to the students and how bad the overall condition is.”

The Atrocities Act is to prevent commission of offences against the members of the ST and SC communities.