A routine alumni gathering at Primary School No. 342 in the Godadara area of Surat escalated into a controversy after a video of attendees consuming chicken and mutton dishes surfaced on social media. The viral video prompted the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) to suspend the school principal and launch an official investigation.
The event, held on Sunday afternoon, was reportedly a reunion of former students who attended the school between 1987 and 1991, as indicated by a banner displayed in Telugu at the school gate. The gathering reportedly included alumni visiting from abroad along with their children.
Following the circulation of the video, the Primary Education Committee (PEC) of the SMC, which supervises the school, immediately began an inquiry on Sunday evening. Based on preliminary findings, the committee suspended Principal Prabhakar Eligatin on Monday.
PEC Chairman Rajendra Kapadia condemned the act, stating, “This is indeed a condemnable act because non-veg was served to people during the gathering. No permission was taken from authorities for this event inside the school. We have suspended the school principal for tarnishing our image. A departmental inquiry will also be conducted against him.”
In his defense, Eligatin clarified that the non-vegetarian items were brought from outside the school premises and that he was not present when they were served. “It was a reunion of past students, many of whom came here with their children from abroad. We had planned to organise the get-together at a farmhouse, but it was cancelled at the last moment,” he said.
He further added, “It was then decided to organise the reunion on the backside of the school on Sunday. Non-veg items were brought from outside by them. I was not present at that time.”
The video sparked widespread reactions on social media, with users questioning the appropriateness of hosting a non-vegetarian event inside a government school. Several parents and local residents expressed concern over the violation of school protocols and the impact on the institution’s image.
The PEC has stated that a full departmental inquiry will follow to determine accountability and any further administrative action required. Officials emphasized that such gatherings must have prior permission and that serving non-vegetarian food on government premises is considered inappropriate unless officially sanctioned.
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