Kerala Minister Invites Actor Kunchacko Boban to Taste School Midday Meals After Jail Food Comparison

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala's Minister for General Education, V. Sivankutty, has extended a public invitation to popular Malayalam actor Kunchacko Boban to visit a government school during lunchtime and personally sample the midday meal served to students. The invitation came in response to the actor’s recent comments highlighting the disparity between food quality in jails and that offered to school children.

The Minister responded via a Facebook post on Tuesday, addressing remarks made by Boban while inaugurating the Subiksham Thrikakkara breakfast scheme on Monday in the Thrikkakara Assembly constituency. While speaking at the event, Kunchacko Boban emphasized the moral responsibility of governments to prioritise the welfare of innocent citizens—particularly children—over criminals.

"Better food is being served in jails than in many schools. This must change," the actor reportedly said. His comments quickly circulated on social media via quote cards and viral posts.

Minister Sivankutty clarified that he initially came across a viral graphic quoting Boban as saying, "Best food should be given not in jails, but to students." He said he then took the effort to listen to the full context of the actor’s speech and acknowledged the good intentions behind the statement. Rather than reacting with criticism, the Minister extended a cordial invitation.

Kerala has long been considered a model state for education and social welfare. The state's implementation of the Midday Meal Scheme, improves student enrollment, attendance, and retention, while also addressing child malnutrition by offering free cooked meals to children in Classes 1 to 8.

Kerala goes a step further by integrating local produce and traditional dishes into the menu, and recent state-level initiatives have introduced fortified rice and iron-rich foods to improve children's health. In many districts, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) and local self-governments actively participate in monitoring the quality of meals.

The exchange between the actor and the Minister shows a positive example of how constructive criticism and dialogue between policymakers and citizens—including celebrities—can lead to collaborative opportunities. Rather than being confrontational, the Minister's approach shows Kerala’s broader culture of democratic engagement and transparency in governance.