Day after ‘all-vegetarian’ BRICS dinner, Rahul Gandhi’s ‘80%’ remark - The Indian Express

**BRICS Summit’s Vegetarian Menu Sparks Political Row**

New Delhi – The concluding night of the BRICS summit in Delhi drew unexpected attention not for diplomatic outcomes but for its culinary choices. The host nation’s decision to serve an exclusively vegetarian banquet, in line with India’s official “vegetarianism for the world” theme, prompted criticism from opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who posted on social media that “about 80 % of Indians are non‑vegetarian.” Gandhi’s remark framed the menu as out of step with the eating habits of the majority of the country, questioning whether the government was using the event to promote a singular cultural narrative.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swiftly rebutted Gandhi’s comments, accusing him of “politics over food” and alleging that the opposition was seeking to politicise a benign logistical decision. Party spokespersons highlighted that the vegetarian fare was chosen to accommodate a diverse set of international guests, including several leaders who observe vegetarian diets for religious or health reasons. The BJP also pointed out that the Indian government had repeatedly emphasized inclusivity and sustainability, and that the menu was consistent with those objectives.

Adding another layer to the controversy, Chinese President Xi Jinping was absent from the dinner, a detail that media outlets such as *The Telegraph* and *NDTV* noted alongside the food debate. While officials did not provide a specific reason for Xi’s absence, the omission was seized upon by commentators on both sides of the aisle to underscore broader diplomatic tensions within the bloc. The episode has reignited a familiar discourse in Indian politics about the balance between cultural representation, dietary preferences, and the optics of hosting multinational events.

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