Congress attacks BJP over menu for foreign guests at BRICS dinner

New Delhi, Sep 13 (PTI) A day after an all-vegetarian spread was served at a BRICS Summit gala dinner, the Congress on Sunday said the BJP is now imposing its "deeply problematic" dietary preferences on dignitaries from across the world, with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi pointing out that 80 per cent of Indians are non-vegetarian.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the dinner for the leaders and delegates of the BRICS Summit at the Bharat Mandapam on Saturday.

In a post on social media platforms X, Facebook and Instagram, Gandhi wrote, "For the record: 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian. Indian non-vegetarian food is delicious. As are my sister's chole bhature."

He also posted a picture of chole bhature on a dining table.

While Gandhi made no direct reference to the BRICS dinner, Congress's media and publicity department head Pawan Khera shared the screenshot of the menu from the dinner and attacked the BJP.

"The BJP's habit of imposing its dietary preferences on fellow Indians is already deeply problematic. Now, they have taken it a step further by imposing their own choices on dignitaries from across the world," Khera said on X.

India is a rich, diverse, multi-cuisine country, home to some of the finest non-vegetarian delicacies that people across the world relish and enjoy, he said.

So why did the Modi government choose to hide this part of India's culture, Khera asked.

"Is it ashamed of the diversity that makes India what it is," the Congress leader asked.

BJP leader and Union minister Kiren Rijiju lashed out at the Congress for its criticism

"I can't believe that the Congress party is making politics even on the food menu served to the leaders of BRICS nations. Our guests relished Indian vegetarian cuisine which are rich in flavour and nutritional variety with diverse regional traditions," Rijiju said.

BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said, "When the opposition has nothing except the food menu to criticise about the summit, it tells you how successful BRICS has been."

"Congress is sulking to see India emerge as a global consensus builder," he wrote on X.

Congress' social media head Supriya Shrinate hailed 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.

"That apart, what is a Sunday without yummy lip-smacking chola bhatura?!" she said.

Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed shared the screenshot of the menu and took a swipe 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 aide of Gandhi, said foreign dignitaries will have to wait till 2029 to have delicious Indian food of all kinds. "Sabka Khana, Sabke Saath," he added.

In another post, Srivatsa said one post from LoP Rahul Gandhi -- one fact, one photograph of his lunch and the entire discourse has moved from where the BJP wanted it to where Rahul Gandhi put it.

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

Rahul Gandhi has "exposed, with one fact and a plate of food, not a debate about diet, but a debate about who gets to decide how 150 crore Indians live, and what they choose to eat", Srivatsa said on X.

Earlier, in a post on X on Saturday night, Mahua Moitra said, "Would I be a bad MP if I advised the visiting BRICS leaders to give this menu a miss & get security to nip down to the nearest Karims & bring back some Burrab Kababs."

The gala dinner featured an elaborate all-vegetarian menu. 'Khandvi mille', a feuille steamed gram-flour roll, and 'khumb galouti', pan-grilled mushroom kebabs with mint pearls, were served as starters.

The main course offered 'paneer lababdar', 'gucchi marmik' -- Himalayan morel mushrooms and tender asparagus -- and 'carrot bean poriyal'.

The other items on the menu included 'thakkali belle saaru' -- light lentil broth, millet pulao, beetroot raita and assorted Indian breads.

For the desserts, 'Old Delhi fruit cream with jalebi' and 'shahtoot phirni' wrapped up the menu for the VVIP guests.