Catholic School Forced to Issue Apology After Food Mela Draws Protest in Gujarat

Kutch, Nov 19, 2025: A food mela organised by St. Thomas Catholic Church on Sunday, 9 November, at Mount Carmel School in Kutch district under the Rajkot diocese came under scrutiny after a false claim emerged on Monday, 10 November, that raw meat was being sold on the school premises. Tensions escalated on Tuesday, 11 November, when a mob of around 45-50 people claiming affiliation to VHP and ABVP entered the Principal’s office shouting ‘Jai Shri Ram’.  

Speaking to Catholic Connect, an authorised source explained that the Church had organised the food mela at Mount Carmel School because the Church does not have adequate space for such events. On the day of the event, 13 vegetarian counters and 3–4 non-vegetarian counters were set up along with games’ counters. The counters of vegetarian food and non-vegetarian food were at a distance of 100 metres. Items in non-vegetarian included prawns biryani, chicken biryani, mutton biryani, and bread omelette. There were more than 20 vegetarian items also which were sold in the food mela. The source emphasised that there were no issues on the day of the programme.

On Monday, 10th November, 2025, it came to notice that a local newspaper report claimed that meat was being sold at the school which was supposed to be a “Vidya Mandir.” The newspaper report made it out that raw meat was being sold. However, the source clarified that only cooked food such as prawns biryani, chicken biryani, mutton biryani, and bread omelette prepared by various people in their homes was kept on sale at the counters in the food mela. Non-vegetarian food is normally available in the district’s regular eateries, the source told Catholic Connect. They added that the mela had always intended to include both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options at the request of people, and that the full menu had been clearly displayed at the entrance, with prices and the details of each counter to avoid any confusion. According to the source, “Some people assumed that the term ‘food mela’ meant it would be fully vegetarian, and that is where the misunderstanding arose.”

Alleged members of the VHP and ABVP came to the school on Tuesday, 11 November, protesting and questioning as to why non-vegetarian food had been served on the campus. The mob behaved in a hostile and intimidating manner and surrounded the Principal, a nun, and not allowing her to speak to any of the school teachers. Despite repeated pleas from the Principal to address their concerns one at a time, the mob did not listen and were very aggressive which led the school authorities to seek Police assistance. The protesters pressurized the school Principal and staff in the school office for over three to four hours. Though the Principal was considerate and expressed regret in case sentiments of certain sections of the society were hurt, the mob of people demanded that the school Principal issue an apology letter and also resign from her post.  

Under pressure, the Principal was eventually compelled to issue a written apology which was drafted in Gujarati by the mob of people. The Principal was also compelled to pose for a photograph with the mob of people while handing over such apology letter. During this prolonged confrontation, the Sister Principal fell ill due to the stress of the situation and later developed fever, requiring rest and care.

The situation has now calmed down, and the misunderstanding has been addressed through communication with those concerned. The Church continues its service with patience and clarity, responding calmly to the concerns brought to it.

By Catholic Connect Reporter