BRICS Summit: Political Row Erupts Over All Vegetarian Menu At Gala Dinner

The 18th BRICS Summit, held at the prestigious Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, concluded successfully on September 13. However, the conclusion of this two-day high-profile event has been overshadowed by a growing political controversy centered around the culinary choices made for the gala dinner. The decision to serve an exclusively vegetarian menu to international leaders and delegates has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, who accuse the government of imposing specific dietary preferences on global guests.

Opposition Questions the Vegetarian Mandate

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was among the first to voice his concerns, while sharing a photograph of the famous Delhi snack Chole-Bhature, he pointed out that 80 percent of Indians are non-vegetarians. He emphasized that Indian non-vegetarian cuisine is world-renowned for its taste and variety. By highlighting his sister's cooking, he aimed to underscore the personal and cultural importance of diverse food habits in India, suggesting that the gala dinner's menu failed to represent the dietary reality of the majority of the Indian population.

Pawan Khera Slams BJP's Habit

Congress leader Pawan Khera also took to social media to express his displeasure. He stated that the BJP's habit of imposing its food choices on other Indians is highly problematic. He further argued that by extending this practice to international guests, the government has taken it a step further. Khera described India as a country with a rich and diverse culinary heritage, featuring exceptional non-vegetarian dishes that people across the globe enjoy. He questioned why the Modi government decided to hide this aspect of Indian culture and asked if the administration was ashamed of the diversity that defines India.

Mahua Moitra's Suggestion for Guests

Joining the criticism, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra offered a cheeky suggestion to the international delegates, while in a post on X, she asked if she would be considered a bad Member of Parliament if she advised the BRICS leaders to skip the official menu. She suggested they ask their security personnel to order Barra Kebab from the famous Karim's restaurant located nearby, highlighting the popularity of Delhi's non-vegetarian culinary landmarks.

Precedent and Government Defense

This isn't the first time the Indian government has opted for an all-vegetarian menu for high-level international gatherings. During the G20 summit held in Delhi, both the Bharat Mandapam and the President's dinner featured strictly vegetarian food, which was presented as a showcase of India's culinary diversity. The BJP has strongly defended the decision for the BRICS summit as well. BJP MP Sambit Patra hit back at the opposition, suggesting that some members of the Congress party are suffering from indigestion because India is progressing rapidly. 4 billion people. Patra stated that he's proud of India being one of the strongest partners in BRICS and dismissed the opposition's claims as a sign of their inability to digest the country's success.