Nitish Kumar not to celebrate Holi due to the mid day meal death of 23 children

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday decided not to celebrate Holi festival due to the death of 23 children after eating mid-day meal in a Chapra school last year.

"Since the tragedy in July last year, the CM has not celebrated any festival so far," an official statement said in Patna.

"Even an year has not completed after this incident," he said, giving reason for cancelling celebrations.

He, however, greeted citizens of the state and appealed to them to celebrate it in the spirit of love and brotherhood.

Death of 23 children after eating mid-day meal in a school had created bad name for the state. The tragedy had triggered sharp reactions over implementation of the free food scheme for poor children in Bihar.