📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / 15th BRICS SUMMIT
Politics
BRICS Summit Dinner Serves Only Vegetarian Menu, Sparks Rahul Gandhi’s Critique and BJP Rebuttal
✍️ Aaj Tak
🗓 13 Sep 2026, 05:53 PM
👁 3
A vegetarian-only menu at the BRICS summit dinner prompted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to question the government's catering choices, while the BJP defended the decision.
New Delhi hosted a formal dinner for leaders attending the BRICS summit, where the menu was limited to vegetarian dishes. The decision was made by the host country's protocol office, citing the need to accommodate diverse dietary preferences of the participating delegations.
During a press interaction, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi remarked that roughly 80% of Indians consume non‑vegetarian food and suggested that the exclusive vegetarian offering did not reflect the culinary habits of the majority. He used the occasion to criticize the government for overlooking popular dietary choices.
The Bharatiya Janata Party responded by emphasizing that the vegetarian menu was chosen to respect diplomatic sensitivities and to avoid any religious or cultural offense. Party spokespeople argued that the decision was consistent with past international events hosted in India.
Analysts note that while the menu dispute is largely symbolic, it underscores the broader political tussle between opposition and ruling parties ahead of upcoming electoral battles.
During a press interaction, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi remarked that roughly 80% of Indians consume non‑vegetarian food and suggested that the exclusive vegetarian offering did not reflect the culinary habits of the majority. He used the occasion to criticize the government for overlooking popular dietary choices.
The Bharatiya Janata Party responded by emphasizing that the vegetarian menu was chosen to respect diplomatic sensitivities and to avoid any religious or cultural offense. Party spokespeople argued that the decision was consistent with past international events hosted in India.
Analysts note that while the menu dispute is largely symbolic, it underscores the broader political tussle between opposition and ruling parties ahead of upcoming electoral battles.