New Delhi: An all-vegetarian gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for BRICS leaders and delegates at Bharat Mandapam has triggered a political row, with the Congress questioning whether the menu adequately reflected India’s diverse food culture.
The controversy erupted a day after the September 12 dinner, where guests were served an elaborate vegetarian spread featuring Khandvi Mille, Khumb Galouti, Paneer Lababdar, Gucchi Marmik, Carrot Bean Poriyal and Millet Pulao, followed by desserts including Old Delhi fruit cream with jalebi and Shahtoot Phirni. Millets were given particular prominence as part of the menu’s emphasis on Indian culinary traditions.
Rahul Gandhi Takes Dig at Vegetarian Menu
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at the dinner menu on Sunday, asserting that “80% of Indians are non-vegetarian” and highlighting India’s non-vegetarian culinary traditions.
For the record: 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian.
Indian non-vegetarian food is delicious. As are my sister’s chole bhature. pic.twitter.com/8f6ziKjLan
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 13, 2026
In a post on X, Gandhi wrote that Indian non-vegetarian food is delicious and added a reference to his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s chole bhature, accompanying the post with a picture of the dish.
Although Gandhi did not directly name the BRICS dinner in his post, his remarks came a day after the all-vegetarian banquet and were widely seen as a criticism of the menu choice.
Pawan Khera Questions Food Representation
Congress communications chief Pawan Khera made the criticism more explicit, sharing the dinner menu and accusing the BJP-led government of extending what he described as its dietary preferences to international dignitaries.
Khera questioned whether the government was uncomfortable showcasing India’s non-vegetarian culinary traditions to foreign guests, framing the issue as one of India’s cultural and dietary diversity.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at the Narendra Modi-led central government over the vegetarian menu served at the BRICS Summit gala dinner in New Delhi, asserting that “80 per cent of Indians are non-vegetarian”.
“For the record: 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian. Indian… pic.twitter.com/KD1cTN08Tr
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) September 13, 2026
BJP Hits Back
The BJP rejected the criticism and accused the Congress of politicising the food served at an international summit.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the menu, saying the BRICS guests had enjoyed Indian vegetarian cuisine that reflected the country’s regional traditions, nutritional variety and flavours.
The response has turned what was intended as a showcase of Indian culinary heritage into an unexpected political flashpoint, with the ruling party defending the vegetarian spread as a celebration of India’s food traditions and the Opposition arguing that the selection failed to capture the country’s wider culinary diversity.
A Vegetarian Showcase of Indian Cuisine
The dinner itself was designed around Indian ingredients and regional flavours. Khandvi Mille and Khumb Galouti featured among the starters, while Paneer Lababdar, Gucchi Marmik and Carrot Bean Poriyal formed part of the main course. Millet Pulao reinforced the emphasis on Shree Anna, while traditional Indian desserts completed the meal.
The political dispute therefore goes beyond a dinner menu, touching on the larger question of how India presents its culinary identity and cultural diversity at major international gatherings
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