New Delhi: Opposition leaders have criticised the Indian government over the all-vegetarian menu served at the BRICS Summit in the Capital this weekend, which brought together several world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping.
They have alleged that the government was imposing vegetarian food on the international guests, and “hiding” India’s diverse culinary culture by excluding non-vegetarian food from the menu.
Congress MP Pawan Khera questioned why the Modi government was “ashamed” of India’s diversity.
“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. India is a rich, diverse, multi-cuisine country, home to some of the finest non-vegetarian delicacies that people across the world relish and enjoy. So why did the Modi government choose to hide this part of India’s culture? Is it ashamed of the diversity that makes India what it is?” he posted on X.
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.
India is a rich, diverse, multi-cuisine country, home to some of the… https://t.co/zmVlB9midT pic.twitter.com/8OfRgUdFar
— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 ಪವನ್ ಖೇರಾ (@Pawankhera) September 13, 2026
The gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam Saturday featured an entirely vegetarian spread. The menu included khandvi mille and khumb galouti as starters, followed by paneer lababdar, gucchi marmik, carrot bean poriyal, thakkali belle saaru and millet pulao. The dessert section had Old Delhi fruit cream with jalebi and shahtoot phirni.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also took a veiled swipe, without mentioning BRICS Summit or the menu, and posted a picture of chole bhature with the caption: “For the record: 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian. Indian non-vegetarian food is delicious. As are my sister’s chole bhature.”
Other Opposition leaders, including Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, also criticised the decision to not include non-vegetarian options.
“Would I be a bad MP if I advised the visiting BRICS leaders to give this menu a miss & get security to nip down to the nearest Karims & bring back some Burra Kababs…” Mahua Moitra wrote on X.
Would I be a bad MP if I advised the visiting BRICS leaders to give this menu a miss & get security to nip down to the nearest Karims & bring back some Burrab Kababs… pic.twitter.com/df293BYco4
— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) September 12, 2026
Chaturvedi, while pointing out that she is a vegetarian herself, said that she has had to specifically request vegetarian meals at international events, and has sometimes had to make do with limited options when her preference was not communicated.
“So while it would have been nice if options were offered to our guests considering our Atithi Devo Bhava sentiment, all the visiting guests do understand the limitations to hosting. Just saying,” she posted on X Saturday.
As a vegetarian I have had to specifically put in a request for a vegetarian meal option at all events internationally. In case I missed sharing the food preference I have lived with bread and butter at events. So while it would have been nice if options were offered to our…
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) September 12, 2026
The Bharatiya Janata Party has, however, defended the vegetarian menu and hit back at the Opposition over the criticism accusing them of “politicising food” served to guests.
“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 are rich in flavor and nutritional variety with diverse regional traditions,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rijiju wrote in his X post.
I can't believe that Congress party is making politics even on the food menu served to the leaders of BRICS nations. Our guests relished Indian vegetarian cuisine which are rich in flavor and nutritional variety with diverse regional traditions. https://t.co/oq1MJwXX9l
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) September 13, 2026
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)
Also Read: ‘Differences should not become disputes’: Modi, Xi welcome progress in India-China ties
Unnecessary drama. BRICS is a diplomatic forum. Not a culinary forum.
Thebguests have no interest in the food.
counter question to them : When the majority of world is already non vegetarian, why not display the brilliant diversity of vegetarian dishes to the world ?
India is the only place where vegetarian food is served. So why not serve it?