"Imposing Vegetarianism On World": Row Over Food Served At BRICS Summit - NDTV

**Row Over Food Served at BRICS Summit Highlights India’s Culinary Debate**

New Delhi – The dinner served to the heads of state and delegations at the recent BRICS summit in Johannesburg sparked a heated exchange in Indian politics after the menu was announced as largely vegetarian. Organisers said the choice was made to respect the dietary preferences of several participants, but opposition leaders seized on the decision, accusing the government of imposing a “vegetarian agenda” on the world stage. The controversy intensified when Chinese President Xi Jinping, who was expected to attend the banquet, chose to skip the dinner altogether, citing a “tight schedule,” a move that was noted by local media.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) quickly targeted senior Congress figure Rahul Gandhi, who had posted on social media that “80 % of Indians are non‑vegetarian,” suggesting the government was politicising the menu. Gandhi’s post was amplified by several news outlets, including *The Times of India* and *Deccan Herald*, which reported that the Congress leader was using the episode to underscore what he described as “the disconnect between the government’s vegetarian narrative and the dietary habits of the majority of Indians.” The BJP responded by labeling Gandhi’s remarks as “political theatrics” aimed at deflecting from the country’s broader food‑security challenges.

Analysts note that the row reflects a deeper conversation about India’s culinary diversity and the symbolic weight of food in diplomatic settings. While the government defended the vegetarian menu as a “neutral, inclusive choice,” critics, including *ThePrint*, argue that it overlooks the country’s rich regional cuisines, which blend vegetarian and non‑vegetarian dishes. The episode has reignited debate over how India projects its cultural identity abroad and whether political parties will continue to use such cultural flashpoints in their electoral narratives.