New Delhi, September 13 (TNA) A political controversy has erupted over the all-vegetarian menu served at the BRICS Summit gala dinner in the national capital, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioning the choice of food and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju accusing the opposition party of politicising the menu served to visiting foreign leaders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the gala dinner for BRICS leaders and delegates at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Saturday. The meal featured a range of Indian vegetarian dishes drawn from different regions of the country.
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at the vegetarian-only menu in a post on social media on Sunday. Sharing a photograph of chole bhature, Gandhi wrote: “For the record: 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian. Indian non-vegetarian food is delicious. As are my sister’s chole bhature.”The Congress’s criticism centred on the argument that India’s food traditions are diverse and that a menu representing the country to foreign dignitaries should reflect dietary cultures beyond vegetarian cuisine. Party leaders said the choice of an exclusively vegetarian spread did not represent the full range of Indian food habits.
Rijiju hits back
Responding to Gandhi’s remarks, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said he could not believe that the Congress was “making politics even on the food menu” served to BRICS leaders. Rijiju defended the choice of vegetarian dishes, saying the guests had relished Indian vegetarian cuisine, which was rich in taste and nutrition and represented culinary traditions from different parts of the country.
The BJP maintained that the dinner was designed to showcase Indian hospitality and regional flavours, and accused the Congress of creating an unnecessary controversy around an official diplomatic event.
What was served
The vegetarian menu began with starters such as Khandvi Mille-Feuille, a gram-flour preparation tempered with mustard, coconut and curry leaves, and Khumb Galouti, pan-grilled mushroom kebabs served with mint pearls and sheermal.
The main course included Paneer Lababdar, Gucchi Marmik made with Himalayan morel mushrooms and asparagus, carrot-bean poriyal, thakkali belle saaru, millet pulao, beetroot raita and assorted Indian breads. Reports also said desserts included fruit cream and jalebi.
The row has turned a diplomatic dinner into a fresh political flashpoint, highlighting the broader debate over food choice, cultural representation and the place of dietary diversity in India’s public discourse.