BJP is forcing its ‘deeply problematic’ dietary preferences on foreign dignitaries, says Congress at BRICS dinner

A day after an all-vegetarian spread was served at the BRICS summit gala dinner, the Congress on Sunday said the BJP was now imposing its “deeply problematic” dietary preferences on dignitaries around the world, with opposition leader Rahul Gandhi pointing out that 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a dinner for leaders and delegates of the BRICS summit at the Bharat Mandapam on Saturday (September 12, 2026).

In a post on social media platforms X, Facebook and Instagram, Mr Gandhi wrote: “For the record: 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian. Indian non-vegetarian food is delicious. Like my sister’s chole bhature.” He also posted a picture of chole bhature on the dining table.

While Mr Gandhi did not directly mention the BRICS dinner, Congress media and publicity chief Pawan Khera shared a picture of the menu from the dinner and hit out at the BJP.

“The BJP’s habit of imposing its dietary preferences on other Indians is already deeply problematic. Now they have taken it a step further by imposing their own choices on dignitaries from around the world,” Mr Khera said on X.

“India is a rich, diverse country with many different cuisines, home to some of the best non-vegetarian delicacies enjoyed and enjoyed by people all over the world,” he said.

For the record: 80% of Indians are not vegetarian.

Indian non-vegetarian food is delicious. Like my sister’s chole bhature. pic.twitter.com/8f6ziKjLan

—Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 13, 2026

“So why has the Modi government decided to hide this part of Indian culture,” asked Mr Khera. “They are ashamed of the diversity that makes India what it is,” asked the Congress leader.

Rijiju criticizes Congress

BJP leader and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju hit out at the Congress for his criticism. “I can’t believe that the Congress party is doing politics even on the menu served to BRICS leaders. Our guests enjoyed Indian vegetarian cuisine which is rich in taste and nutritional diversity with various regional traditions,” said Mr. Rijiju.

BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said, “When the opposition has nothing but a menu to criticize about the summit, it tells you how successful BRICS has been.” “Congress sulks to see India emerge as global consensus builder,” he wrote on X.

Congress social media chief Supriya Shrinate welcomed Mr Gandhi’s post and said it defines who he is.

“It stands out for two things: respect for India’s diversity; respect for people’s choices, including what they eat,” she said on X.

“Besides, what’s a Sunday without delicious chola bhatura?!” she said.

Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed shared a screenshot of the menu and took a dig at the government over the issue.

“No wonder Xi Jinping went back to his hotel for dinner. I would do the same!” she said on X.

Srivatsa, a close associate of Mr. Gandhi, said foreign dignitaries would have to wait until 2029 to have delicious Indian food of all kinds. “Sabke Khana, Sabke Saath,” he added.

In another post, Mr. Srivatsa said one post from Rahul Gandhi’s LoP – one fact, one photo of his lunch and the whole discourse shifted from where BJP wanted it to where Mr. Gandhi put it.

“And it is a debate this country has needed for a long time. For more than a decade, a vegetarian orthodoxy has been imposed on a BJP nation where 80% of the people eat meat. Look at what they are doing recently in states like Bengal and Bihar,” he said.

Mr. Gandhi “revealed, with one fact and a plate of food, not a debate about diet, but a debate about who will decide how 150 million Indians live and what they choose to eat,” Mr. Srivatsa told X.

Earlier, in a post on X on Saturday night, Mahua Moitra said: “I would be a bad MP if I advised the visiting BRICS leaders to skip this menu and get a bodyguard to swoop down to the nearest Karims and bring back some Burrab Kababs.” The gala dinner included an elaborate vegetarian menu. The starters were ‘Khandvi mille’, feuille steamed gram flour roll, and ‘khumb galouti’, pan-grilled mushroom kebabs with mint pearls.

The main course offered ‘paneer lababdar’, ‘gucchi marmik’ – Himalayan morel mushrooms and delicate asparagus – and ‘carrot bean poriyal’.

Other items on the menu included ‘thakkali belle saaru’ – light lentil broth, millet pulao, beetroot raita and various Indian breads.

As for desserts, “Old Delhi Fruit Cream with Jalebi” and “shahtoot phirni” concluded the menu for the VVIP guests.

Published – 13 Sep 2026 16:02 IST