• Source:JND
HighLights
  1. LOP Rahul Gandhi questions all-vegetarian BRICS dinner menu.
  2. Opposition leaders criticise menu for lacking diversity.
  3. BJP defends menu, accuses Congress of politicising food.

A political row has erupted over the all-vegetarian menu served at the BRICS Summit gala dinner, with Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. A day after the dinner, Gandhi highlighted the dietary preferences of Indians and said that 80 per cent of the country's population is non-vegetarian.

Sharing a picture of chole bhature on social media, he wrote, "For the record: 80 per cent of Indians are non-vegetarian. Indian non-vegetarian food is delicious. As are my sister's chole bhature."

The remarks came a day after PM Modi hosted the gala dinner for BRICS leaders and delegates at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The menu featured a range of vegetarian dishes showcasing regional Indian cuisine.

Take A Look At BRICS Menu 

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Among the starters were "Khandvi mille", a feuille steamed gram-flour roll, and "khumb galouti", pan-grilled mushroom kebabs with mint pearls.

The main course included "paneer lababdar", "gucchi marmik" -- Himalayan morel mushrooms and tender asparagus -- and "carrot bean poriyal".

The menu also featured "thakkali belle saaru" -- a light lentil broth -- along with millet pulao, beetroot raita and assorted Indian breads.

For dessert, guests were served "Old Delhi fruit cream with jalebi" and "shahtoot phirni".

The gala dinner was served to the accompaniment of a performance by an ensemble of over 100 artistes drawn largely from India, as well as other member countries of BRICS.

Pawan Khera targets BJP

Congress MP Pawan Khera also criticised the government over the all-vegetarian menu, accusing the BJP of "imposing dietary preferences".

“India is a rich, diverse, multi-cuisine country, home to some of the finest non-vegetarian delicacies that people across the world relish and enjoy. So why did the Modi government choose to hide this part of India’s culture?” Khera wrote on X.

'Just Saying...': Priyanka Chaturvedi on diet preferences

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said organisers of international events should take guests' dietary preferences into account, drawing on her own experiences as a vegetarian at events abroad.

In a post on X, Chaturvedi said she had often had to specifically request vegetarian meals at international events. She added that on occasions when she failed to communicate her preference in advance, she had been left with only bread and butter.

"As a vegetarian I have had to specifically put in a request for a vegetarian meal option at all events internationally. In case I missed sharing the food preference I have lived with bread and butter at events. So while it would have been nice if options were offered to our guests considering our atithi devo bhava sentiment, all the visiting guests do understand the limitations to hosting. Just saying."

National spokesperson of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Waris Pathan also criticised the menu, arguing that it did not adequately represent India's culinary diversity.

He said, "We talk a lot about India's diversity, but this menu has wiped out the diversity itself!"

"You want to promote vegetarianism, go ahead—absolutely do that—but don't limit India's food culture to just a vegetarian menu. In India, crores of people eat non-veg; mutton, chicken, and fish are just as important in our culinary diversity."

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How Internet Is Reacting?

The all-vegetarian menu also triggered a debate on social media, with several users questioning why popular non-vegetarian Indian dishes were not included in the spread.

A social media user sharing the BRICS menu card wrote, "No wonder all the foreign delegates did not stay for dinner. I mean a country that consumes 80% non-veg food with culinary delicacies appreciated accross the world serves this. BJP and its double standard politics needs to stop when it comes to food."

Another user said the occasion called for showcasing the diversity of Indian cuisine and wrote, "The world's biggest leaders have come to India. We should have presented them with the full flavors of India--mutton masala fry, Hyderabadi biryani, tandoori chicken, butter chicken, Goan fish curry, and other such famous Indian delicacies."

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BJP hits back

The BJP hit back at the Congress, accusing it of reducing a major diplomatic event to a debate over its food menu instead of focusing on its policy outcomes.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised the Congress for “making politics even on the food menu”. Rijiju said the visiting leaders had enjoyed Indian vegetarian cuisine, which, he said, showcased the country's diverse regional traditions and offered a variety of flavours and nutritional choices.

“I can't believe that Congress party is making politics even on the food menu served to the leaders of BRICS nations,” he wrote on X.

The two-day 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit concluded on Sunday.


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