Dead snake found in midday meal at a government school in Bihar.

A dead snake was found in the midday meal at a government school in Bihar. The meal prepared at the Mokama government school in Patna district included rice and potato curry. It was in the potato curry that the dead snake was discovered.

After the snake was found in the food, 200 students whose health deteriorated were admitted to the hospital. Despite the snake falling into the curry, the cook simply removed it and continued to serve the food. Although about a dozen students noticed this and warned others not to eat the food, the school authorities insisted that everyone eat.

Out of the 500 students who consumed the meal, around 50 students’ health worsened immediately. As the crowd grew, the police arrived and took the affected children to the hospital. Subsequently, another 150 children also started showing symptoms. A doctor mentioned that one child’s condition was critical but stabilized after a long period of treatment.

In protest, parents and local residents blocked the road for about an hour. The protest ended after authorities arrived and assured them of action. The BDO (Block Development Officer) stated that an investigation is underway.

Such incidents are not new in Bihar. Similar cases have occurred in the past as well. Even as senior education officials, including Bihar's Additional Chief Secretary for Education, S. Siddharth, have been conducting surprise inspections, this latest incident has come to light.