Congress attacks BJP over all-vegetarian BRICS Summit gala dinner; saffron party hits back

A day after an all-vegetarian spread was served at a BRICS Summit gala dinner, the Congress on Sunday attacked the BJP over the choice of cuisine for dignitaries from across the world.

The BJP hit back, saying the opposition party is “sulking” as India has emerged as a global consensus builder and is taking the mentality of a “naraz fufa” to the international stage.

Sharing a screenshot of the menu served at the dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for BRICS leaders and delegates at Bharat Mandapam on Saturday, Congress MP Pawan Khera said the BJP has taken its habit of imposing its dietary preferences a step further by doing so with dignitaries from across the world.

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Gandhi, in posts on social media platforms X, Facebook and Instagram, said 80 per cent of Indians are non-vegetarians, and that Indian non-vegetarian food is as delicious as his sister's chole bhature. He also posted a picture of chole bhature on a dining table, but made no direct reference to the BRICS dinner.

Reacting to Gandhi's criticism, 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.

Another BJP national spokesperson, Tuhin Sinha, alleged that Gandhi's “petty and frivolous” remarks reflect his mentality as well as that of the Congress party.

He said the remarks show why the Congress is “on the margins” today and has become a “fringe group”.

“If there were any responsible or sensible Leader of Opposition in the country, he would have congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India today. What India has achieved through the New Delhi Resolution is historic. For the first time, all BRICS nations were seen standing united with one voice on all serious global issues. This had not happened before,” he told PTI.

“But Rahul Gandhi -- expecting him to offer congratulations would be too much -- made the same frivolous remarks, the same petty comments for which he has always been known, and is now taking the mentality of a 'naraz fufa' (disgruntled uncle) to the global stage,” Sinha said, using the folksy cultural trope which describes habitual critics insecure of their status.

Taking a swipe at Gandhi, Sinha questioned whether the Congress Chief Ministers skipped the gala dinner because they did not get food of their choice.

“Your Chief Ministers were also invited to the dinner yesterday. Did they not attend only because they did not get the food of their choice? And did Chinese President Xi Jinping WhatsApp you to say that he did not like the food?” he said.

“When India is achieving such major successes and India's respect and prestige are growing across the world, the kind of petty and frivolous remarks Rahul Gandhi is making reflect his mentality as well as that of the Congress party,” Sinha said.

The gala dinner was served to the accompaniment of a performance by an ensemble of over 100 artistes drawn largely from India, as well as other member countries of BRICS.

Congress's media and publicity department head Pawan Khera attacked the ruling BJP over the choice of cuisine.

“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.

The remarks came a day after the gala dinner, which 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.