Food Politics Heats Up: BJP Leader Navneet Rana Takes Personal Swipe at Rahul Gandhi Over All-Vegetarian BRICS Dinner
A diplomatic dinner hosted by PM Narendra Modi has triggered a sharp political feud, with BJP leader Navneet Rana launching personal barbs at Rahul Gandhi after he questioned the all-vegetarian spread served to BRICS dignitaries.
NEW DELHI — What began as an international diplomatic gathering has quickly dissolved into a sharp political battle over culinary representation, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Navneet Rana targeting Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his remarks regarding the BRICS gala dinner spread.
What began as a discussion about the food served at the BRICS Summit gala dinner has turned into another political exchange between the BJP and Congress.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted BRICS leaders and delegates at Bharat Mandapam, where guests were served an entirely vegetarian menu featuring dishes from different parts of India, including paneer lababdar, Himalayan morel mushrooms, millet pulao, jalebi and shahtoot phirni.
The controversy began after Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi commented on the vegetarian spread.
Gandhi said that “80% of Indians are non-vegetarian” and added that Indian non-vegetarian food is delicious, while also mentioning his sister’s chole bhature.
His remarks triggered criticism from BJP leaders, who accused the Congress of politicising the food served to visiting BRICS leaders. BJP spokespersons argued that the focus should instead have been on the summit’s diplomatic discussions and outcomes.
Amid the controversy, BJP leader Navneet Rana personally targeted Rahul Gandhi, mocking him over his comments and saying that he had now started taking an interest in the kitchen as well. Rana also used the insult “Pappu Pappu hi rahega” while attacking Gandhi.
The exchange has added a sharper political dimension to what initially appeared to be a debate over the choice of food at an international diplomatic event.
Congress leaders, meanwhile, have argued that India’s food culture is highly diverse and that non-vegetarian cuisine is also an important part of that diversity.
The BJP’s response has focused on the argument that the opposition is giving undue importance to the dinner menu instead of the BRICS summit’s diplomatic agenda.
A dinner menu has now become a political talking point — raising a larger question about food, culture and representation in India’s public life.
