Why did the BRICS menu draw criticism in India?
NEW DELHI, India: The Indian government faced criticism from opposition leaders after an entirely vegetarian menu was served to heads of state and other dignitaries attending the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other leaders attended the summit, which concluded on September 14.
The BRICS grouping was initially formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa and has since expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
The summit menu included more than 10 vegetarian dishes, prompting criticism from some opposition leaders in India.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on X that 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian and highlighted the country’s non-vegetarian cuisine.
How did the Indian government respond to the criticism?
Congress leader Waris Pathan also criticised the menu, saying it did not reflect India’s diverse food culture. He said vegetarian options could be promoted while also offering mutton, chicken and fish, which he described as part of India’s culinary traditions.
Another Congress leader, Pawan Khera, criticised the decision and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of promoting its dietary preferences.
India’s Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju defended the menu and accused the Congress of politicising the food served at the summit.
Rijiju said the visiting dignitaries enjoyed Indian vegetarian cuisine, describing it as rich in flavour and nutritional variety and representative of India’s regional culinary traditions.