Lucknow, May 5 (India Today): School children in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich were forced to sit hungry at an event that was to be attended by Yogi government's minister of basic education.

While the event was scheduled to begin at 12 pm, however, the minister arrived at 8 pm at the venue. The delay in the minister's arrival made the students sit on an empty-stomach for nearly eight hours.

The minister was quick to pass the blame on to the teachers after the incident came to light.

Minister of basic education of Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh Anupama Jaiswal said, "I don't know why children were made to sit eight hours in advance, concerned teachers are answerable."

Bahraich: School children allegedly kept hungry at an event attended by State Minister, Anupama Jaiswal. Students were allegedly seated at 12 pm while event began at 8 pm. Minister says, 'I don't know why children were seated 8 hours in advance, concerned teachers are answerable' pic.twitter.com/PTmnLIoCu5

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 5, 2018

The school children had been called for the minister's reception.

On Friday night, BJP minister Anupama Jaiswal attended the event along with the officials of the department. The programme was held at Itaunjha village in the district's primary school.

The BJP minister and the entourage reached there at around 8 pm. It was reported that they had to reach in the afternoon but arrived late in the evening.

According to the students, their teacher had called them to attend the function so as to make much of Anupama Jaiswal's visit.

The minister had been part of a recent controversy where she said that many ministers visit homes of Dalits despite being bitten by mosquitoes.