Xi Jinping skipped the dinner; Rahul pointed out, “80 percent of Indians are non-vegetarian.”
This time, the ‘Vishwa Guru’ made headlines not by halting a war, but with a vegetarian meal. The debate over vegetarian versus non-vegetarian food—often seen during Durga Puja—has now surfaced at the BRICS summit as well.
An attempt was made to impose their own preferences on international guests as well. A heated controversy has erupted over the all-vegetarian menu served at the BRICS summit dinner on Saturday. The Congress has alleged that the BJP, by narrowing the scope of India’s diverse culinary culture, has imposed its own dietary habits even on foreign guests. At the dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam on Saturday, a variety of vegetarian dishes were served to the heads of state and delegates.
Under the pressure of this ‘vegetarian’ diplomacy, the situation reportedly reached a point where Chinese President Xi Jinping had to leave without attending Modi’s lavish banquet. Xi Jinping had attended the BRICS summit on Saturday and even held a brief one-on-one meeting with Modi upon arriving in New Delhi; however, he was absent from the dinner that evening. No official reason was given for his absence from the banquet, though some sources claimed he had returned to his hotel to rest.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wrote on social media on Sunday, “For the record—80 percent of Indians are non-vegetarians. Indian non-vegetarian food is delicious, too.” He also posted a photo of chole bhature prepared by his sister, noting that it was “just as delicious.”
Pawan Khera, head of the Congress party’s publicity and media department, directly targeted the BJP, stating that India is a land of diverse culinary cultures. He remarked that the tendency to impose one’s own dietary habits on the country’s people is already “deeply problematic,” and alleged that this practice has now been extended to foreign guests as well. He questioned why a significant aspect of India’s culinary culture was excluded from the BRICS dinner menu.
Congress leader Waris Pathan also stated that while vegetarianism can certainly be promoted, India’s food culture should not be restricted solely to a vegetarian menu. He maintained that mutton, chicken, and fish are also integral parts of India’s diverse culinary culture.
However, vegetarian dishes from various parts of the country took center stage on the menu for the first day of the BRICS summit. Dishes such as Paneer Lababdar, Rajma Rasela, Dal Panchmel, Millet Pulao, Makai Lasuni Palak, and Dum Aloo Banarasi were served. International offerings included Penne al Pomodoro, millet, haricot beans, and baked vegetable au gratin. The dinner menu featured Khandvi Millet, Khumb Galouti, Gucchi Marmik, beetroot raita, Old Delhi-style fruit cream with Jalebi, and Shahdoot Phirni.
The BJP has hit back at the Congress amidst the controversy, eager to highlight the serving of vegetarian meals at the international summit as a reflection of Modi’s greatness. Party spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari remarked that, unable to find grounds to criticize the substantive success of the BRICS summit, the opposition is preoccupied with the food menu. Tuhin Sinha termed Rahul Gandhi’s comments “trivial and irresponsible.”Describing India’s ‘New Delhi Declaration’ as a historic success, he stated that India played a pivotal role in forging consensus on the international stage.
Proponents of Hindutva have also eagerly joined the chorus of acclaim. The VHP, for instance, has hailed Modi’s initiative as ‘unforgettable.’ The organization’s spokesperson, Vinod Bansal, lavished praise on Modi for showcasing India’s cultural and spiritual heritage to world leaders at the BRICS summit. Bansal asserts that this initiative—presenting India’s civilizational and spiritual legacy to global leaders—will be remembered for fostering universal brotherhood and human welfare.
This controversy over the BRICS dinner menu has arisen at a time when there is already a debate surrounding right-wing political rhetoric regarding the consumption of non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja in Bengal. Consequently, the political sparring over the dinner menu has gained added significance.
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