New Delhi, Sept. 14 -- A political dispute erupted between the Congress and BJP after an entirely vegetarian menu was served to international leaders and other dignitaries at the BRICS Summit gala dinner in New Delhi. The two-day summit concluded on Sunday.
Congress criticised the choice of menu, alleging that the government had imposed its dietary preferences on foreign dignitaries. Congress leader Pawan Khera said India is a diverse, multi-cuisine country known for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, and questioned why non-vegetarian cuisine was not included in the menu presented to visiting leaders. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also weighed in on the issue. Sharing a picture of chole bhature, he said that 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian and highlighted the popularity of Indian non-vegetarian cuisine.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra also commented on the menu, suggesting that BRICS leaders could try traditional non-vegetarian food from a well-known Delhi establishment instead. The BJP, however, rejected the criticism and defended the vegetarian spread as a representation of India's culinary traditions. BJP MP Sambit Patra hit back at the Congress, saying the opposition was making an issue out of the menu while India was making progress on the global stage. The choice of an all-vegetarian menu was not unprecedented. During the G20 summit held in Delhi, fully vegetarian meals were also served at Bharat Mandapam and the President's banquet as part of an effort to showcase India's culinary diversity.
The BRICS dinner menu featured a range of vegetarian dishes representing different Indian culinary traditions, with the meal presented as part of the hospitality extended to leaders and delegates attending the summit. The political exchange over the menu comes after the conclusion of the BRICS Summit, which brought together leaders and senior representatives from member countries for discussions on global affairs, economic cooperation and issues concerning the Global South.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.