Criticism Arises Over Vegetarian Menu at BRICS Gala Dinner

The recent BRICS Summit in New Delhi faced scrutiny over the entirely vegetarian menu served at a gala dinner hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This event gathered several prominent world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Opposition leaders have voiced strong criticisms regarding the omission of non-vegetarian dishes, alleging that the Indian government was concealing the nation's rich culinary diversity. Congress Member of Parliament Pawan Khera expressed his concerns on social media, questioning why the Modi administration seemed hesitant to showcase India's multifaceted food culture. "The BJP's habit of imposing its dietary preferences on fellow Indians is already deeply problematic. Now, they have taken it a step further by imposing their own choices on dignitaries from across the world," Khera stated.

The menu included items such as khandvi mille and khumb galouti as starters, with dishes like paneer lababdar and millet pulao featured prominently. For dessert, attendees enjoyed Old Delhi fruit cream accompanied by jalebi and shahtoot phirni.

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi indirectly contributed to the discourse by sharing a photo of a popular Indian dish, chole bhature, alongside a reminder that 80% of Indians consume non-vegetarian food. He remarked, "Indian non-vegetarian food is delicious. As are my sister’s chole bhature," alluding to the broader culinary preferences of the Indian populace.

Other opposition figures, including Mahua Moitra from the Trinamool Congress and Priyanka Chaturvedi from Shiv Sena (UBT), echoed Khera's sentiments. Moitra jokingly suggested that BRICS leaders might consider seeking non-vegetarian options from nearby eateries, while Chaturvedi shared her experiences of navigating dietary preferences at international events. Although she affirmed her own vegetarianism, she highlighted the necessity for more inclusive meal choices for guests.

Defending the vegetarian menu, members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rebuked the opposition's criticisms. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju responded on social media, stating, "I can't believe that the Congress party is making politics even on the food menu served to the leaders of BRICS nations. Our guests relished Indian vegetarian cuisine, which is rich in flavour and nutritional variety with diverse regional traditions."

This incident underscores the complexities surrounding cultural representation and culinary diversity at international events, bringing to light differing opinions on dietary inclusivity in a multi-ethnic country like India.