Rajasthan High Court takes up Gen Z, Gen Alpha concerns, asks government’s response on slew of directions
The Rajasthan High Court has taken suo motu action to address concerns regarding the health and digital habits of Gen Z and Gen Alpha students. The court has mandated a ban on junk food in and around schools and ordered the implementation of nutritional labeling and safety committees.
Why it matters
This ruling represents a significant regulatory intervention in school health policy, aiming to combat childhood obesity and screen-time dependency through legal mandates.
The Rajasthan High Court, Jodhpur, has taken suo motu cognisance of issues concerning Gen Z, Gen Alpha and Gen Beta, expressing concern over junk food, excessive screen time, paper leaks, inadequate infrastructure in rural schools and the possible erosion of basic learning skills in the age of artificial intelligence.
A Single Bench of Justice, Anoop Kumar Dhand, on Monday (August 24), banned the sale of high-fat, high-sugar and high-salt (HFSS) food items in school canteens and within 50 metres of school gates. The prohibited items include carbonated drinks, chips, trans-fat-containing bakery products and other junk food.
The court directed every school to constitute a School Food Safety and Nutrition Committee within four weeks, comprising teachers, parents and student representatives. Details of the committees are to be uploaded to the Education Department's website.
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