India, Sept. 21 -- Right-leaning commentators and ideologues have chosen to lambast the LoP, Rahul Gandhi, for taking issue with the vegetarian-only meal provided at the recently concluded BRICS summit in New Delhi.

On the one hand, one may trivialise the LoP's objection, but on the other, the ruling government's psychology and intent are clearly revealed. Whether the revelation was intentional or not is unascertainable.

Food is not merely food when power enters the recipe. What we eat, what we are allowed to eat, and what we choose to display as Indian is an overwhelmingly effective determinant of inclusion and exclusion.

While the fare provided showcased an impressive range, it only told half, nay, less than half the story. The Natio...