HJS calls out selective enforcement by the FDA, asking officials to inspect government headquarter canteens before targeting Hindu festivals
Mumbai – In view of the Ganeshotsav and upcoming festivals, Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has enforced strict food safety norms, warning of action specifically citing the mahaprasad and bhandara distributed during Hindu religious events.
Why does @FDA_Maharashtra Commissioner @Tukaram_IndIAS target only Hindu festivals? Strict action warned only for #Mahaprasad & #Bhandara during #Ganeshotsav, Navratri.
What about public food distribution during Bakri Eid, Iftar parties, Christmas? Art.14 demands Equal Law for… pic.twitter.com/ZkwgwqTxjR— Sunil Ghanwat 🛕🛕 (@SG_HJS) August 28, 2026
HJS questions administrative double standards
This attempt to trap Hindu religious traditions exclusively in a web of licences, registrations, and regulations in the name of food safety is extremely biased and a prime example of administrative double standards. Does the FDA not notice the food cooked and the public food distribution carried out during festivals of other religions, such as Bakri Eid, Ramzan Eid, Iftar parties, Christmas, or Good Friday?
The administration must provide a clear answer as to whether food safety regulations are adhered to at those times or not. The FDA should publicly clarify whether these rules will also be enforced with corresponding action during the festivals of other religions, urged Shri. Sunil Ghanwat, the Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh State Organiser of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. The Samiti also stated that even though Tukaram Mundhe is doing good work, the stance of selectively targeting only Hindu festivals will not be tolerated at all.
Discrimination and constitutional violations
Shri. Ghanwat further stated that according to Article 14 of the Constitution of India, the law must apply equally to all, and under Article 15, the government cannot discriminate on grounds of religion. Despite this, adopting a rigid stance exclusively towards annadaan and bhandaras connected with Hindu faith is sheer discrimination.
Unaddressed food safety issues in government premises
It is unfortunate that the administration, which lectures the public on food quality, fails to see the filth within its own buildings. Public representatives themselves have lodged complaints several times regarding the substandard quality of food served in the canteens of the state’s main administrative headquarters ‘Mantralaya’, ‘Manora MLA Hostel’, and ‘Vidhan Bhavan’. Maharashtra has even witnessed heated confrontations between MLAs and canteen managements. The food served to patients and students in government hospitals and hostels is of an extremely low standard. It is utterly infuriating that officials who fail to provide safe food within their own government establishments are questioning mahaprasad, which is prepared in a spirit of selfless service.
Demand for equal rules and inspection reports
If food safety regulations must be enforced, they should be applied equally to food distribution across the festivals and events of all religions. The FDA should first thoroughly inspect the canteens of Mantralaya, MLA hostels, and all government offices, and make the food quality reports public. Attempts should not be made to harass Hindu temples, Ganeshotsav, and Navratri public mandals in the name of licences, nor should obstacles be created in the selfless service of annadaan, concluded Shri. Ghanwat.
