Modi govt slammed for forcing vegetarian menu on BRICS leaders

A fierce debate has erupted in Indian national politics over an all vegetarian menu served at the BRICS summit dinner held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Congress leadership has alleged that the government is ignoring India’s diverse food culture and imposing its own preferences on foreign delegates. In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said the opposition is politicizing an irrelevant food issue instead of acknowledging the summit’s diplomatic success.

Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Mr. Rahul Gandhi posted on X, noting for information that 80 percent of Indians are non vegetarian, and praising Indian meat dishes as extremely delicious, citing his sister’s chole bhature as an example. Although the post did not directly name BRICS, it is widely believed to reference the menu controversy.

Congress media department chief Mr. Pawan Khera launched a direct attack, saying the BJP has developed a habit of imposing its own food preferences on others, and has now started imposing them on world leaders too.

At the dinner hosted by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, traditional vegetarian dishes from various regions of India were served. The starters included khandvi, mushroom galouti kebab, mint pearls and shirmal bread. The main course featured paneer lababdar, Himalayan morel mushroom “gucchi marmik,” carrot bean poriyal, millet pulao and beet raita. Dessert included Old Delhi fruit cream, jalebi and mulberry infused tut phirni. However, arrangements were also made for foreign guests to be served food of their choice at their respective hotels, which included non vegetarian dishes such as nalli nihari.

BJP’s Counter Argument and Defense

BJP leaders have completely rejected Congress’s criticism. Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mr. Kiren Rijiju said world leaders praised the rich taste and nutritional value of Indian vegetarian food. According to BJP spokesperson Mr. Pradeep Bhandari, unable to find any fault with the summit, the opposition is now looking for politics in the menu.

Speculation Around Mr. Xi Jinping

Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping’s absence from the dinner sparked rumors on social media that he skipped it because of the vegetarian menu. However, related sources confirmed that he had gone to rest due to fatigue from a long flight and a busy first day schedule.