The claim of a pro-Hindu politician that children can become cannibals by eating chicken eggs violates democratic principles, says a church leader in central India. Gopal Bhargava, a senior politician of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Madhya Pradesh, made the claim as he opposed a government plan to include eggs in school midday meals to fight malnutrition.

“If children are given non-vegetarian food, they may turn into cannibals,” Bhargava reportedly said. “They will serve eggs to children. Those who do not eat eggs will be forced to do so. If they are still malnourished, give them chicken and goat meat.” The Hindu culture prohibits eating non-vegetarian food, said Bhargava, the leader of the opposition in the state legislature.