Political Tensions Emerge Over BRICS Dinner Menu
Political Dispute Over Dietary Choices at BRICS Summit
PM Modi with BRICS leaders during a group photograph at Bharat Mandapam on Day 2 of the Summit. (Photo:PTI)
New Delhi, Sep 13: Following a gala dinner featuring an all-vegetarian menu for BRICS leaders and delegates, a political clash erupted between the Congress and BJP on Sunday. The Opposition accused the ruling party of imposing its dietary choices on international guests.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi highlighted that a significant portion of the Indian population consumes non-vegetarian food, while spokesperson Pawan Khera claimed that the BJP's dietary preferences have transcended domestic politics.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the dinner for the BRICS Summit attendees at Bharat Mandapam on Saturday.
In a social media post, Gandhi remarked, “For the record: 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian. Indian non-vegetarian food is delicious. As are my sister's chole bhature.”
He included a photo of chole bhature on a dining table, although he did not specifically mention the BRICS dinner.
Khera also shared a screenshot of the dinner menu, accusing the BJP of extending its dietary preferences to foreign dignitaries.
“The BJP's tendency to impose its dietary choices on fellow Indians is already concerning. Now, they have taken it a step further by imposing their preferences on global dignitaries,” Khera stated in a social media post.
In response, the BJP criticized the Congress for politicizing the food served to visiting leaders.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed confusion over why the Congress was making an issue of the menu, asserting that the guests enjoyed the Indian vegetarian cuisine.
“I can't believe that Congress party is making politics even on the food menu served to the leaders of BRICS nations. Our guests relished Indian vegetarian cuisine which are rich in flavor and nutritional variety with diverse regional traditions,” Rijiju posted on social media.
This exchange followed an elaborate vegetarian dinner hosted by Modi on Saturday evening.
The starters included khandvi mille, a steamed gram-flour roll, and khumb galouti, pan-grilled mushroom kebabs served with mint pearls.
The main course featured paneer lababdar, gucchi marmik, Himalayan morel mushrooms with tender asparagus, and carrot bean poriyal.
This verbal sparring has transformed what was intended as a culinary highlight at the BRICS summit into another political battleground between the ruling BJP and the Congress.