Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Shiv Sena UBT criticises vegetarian BRICS menu as dietary imposition
Shiv Sena (UBT) criticised the food served at a BRICS Summit dinner.
The dinner was entirely vegetarian.
It was held for leaders and delegates from the expanded BRICS group.
The party said people should be free to choose whether they eat vegetarian or non-vegetarian food.
It argued that governments should not make this choice for guests.
The menu included foods such as paneer, millet pulao, jalebi and phirni.
The party also said India has many famous non-vegetarian dishes that could have been offered.
It connected the dinner menu to a wider concern about pressure on India’s varied food traditions.
Shiv Sena (UBT) criticised the Centre over an exclusively vegetarian menu at the 18th BRICS Summit.
The menu was served to foreign delegates at a gala dinner at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 12.
Saamana argued that food choices are a matter of personal freedom and should not be dictated by governments or political parties.
The menu included Khandvi, Mushroom Kebabs, Paneer Lababdar, Millet Pulao, Gujarati-style Dhokli Bele Saru, Jalebi and Phirni.
The editorial also alleged broader efforts to alter India’s diverse food culture, including restrictions affecting eggs and non-vegetarians.
- Who
- Shiv Sena (UBT) criticised the Centre over the menu served to foreign delegates and leaders attending the BRICS Summit.
- What
- The party objected to an exclusively vegetarian gala-dinner menu, calling it an imposition of dietary preferences.
- When
- The gala dinner was held on September 12; the criticism was published on Thursday in Saamana.
- Where
- The dinner took place at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
- Why
- Shiv Sena (UBT) said dietary choices are a matter of personal freedom and that India’s diverse food culture should not be restricted.
- Event
- 18th BRICS Summit
- Dinner date
- September 12
- Venue
- Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- Menu type
- Exclusively vegetarian
- Menu examples
- Khandvi, Mushroom Kebabs, Paneer Lababdar, Millet Pulao, Dhokli Bele Saru, Jalebi and Phirni
- Criticising organisation
- Shiv Sena (UBT)
- Publication
- Saamana