Mumbai, September 17 (Udaipur Kiran) : The recent BRICS Summit in New Delhi has sparked political controversy over the decision to serve exclusively vegetarian meals to foreign dignitaries. Shiv Sena (UBT) criticized the central government, asserting that this move imposes dietary preferences on international guests.
In an editorial published in the party’s mouthpiece, Saamana, Shiv Sena argued that food choices are a matter of personal freedom and should not be dictated by the government or any political entity. The editorial specifically addressed the gala dinner held on September 12 at Bharat Mandapam, where leaders of the 11-member BRICS group were offered only vegetarian options.
The editorial described the decision as an imposition of dietary preferences on world leaders, stating that whether vegetarian or non-vegetarian, food choices are a matter of individual liberty. The menu included dishes like Khandvi, mushroom kebabs, paneer lababdar, millet pulao, Gujarati-style Dhokli Belasar, jalebi, and firni.
Shiv Sena likened the limited menu to feeding guests grass and wild greens, claiming that 80% of the world’s population, including many attendees, consume non-vegetarian food. They questioned what the Modi government achieved by imposing vegetarianism, suggesting it made India a laughingstock on the global stage.
The editorial further compared the BRICS gala dinner to Indian weddings, referencing the more flavorful and diverse cuisine served at high-profile events, such as the wedding of Supriya Sule’s daughter. It argued that serving renowned non-vegetarian dishes from Delhi, like those from Karim’s, would have genuinely delighted foreign guests.
Rejecting claims that the menu reflected the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi’s birthplace, the party maintained that Gandhi never imposed his vegetarian preferences on others. The editorial provided historical examples, including the accommodation of non-vegetarian food for Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan’s family during their visit to Sevagram Ashram, and former Prime Minister Morarji Desai’s respectful adherence to local customs during his state visit to Russia.
Additionally, it pointed out that during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Mahabalipuram, a variety of non-vegetarian dishes were prepared with chefs brought in from across the country.
The editorial accused the ruling government and its affiliated organizations of attempting to alter India’s diverse food culture, mentioning issues like the outsourcing of mid-day meals in schools to organizations like ISKCON, which allegedly removed eggs from children’s meals. It also highlighted discrimination against non-vegetarians in housing within cities like Mumbai, labeling it a societal crime.
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