2 weeks ago
BJP Chief Nabin’s Andhra Meal Sparks Sawan Food Row
BJP president Nitin Nabin posted a video of himself eating with party workers in Andhra Pradesh.
Opposition parties said one dish in the video looked like meat and questioned whether he followed Sawan food customs.
BJP leaders denied this.
They said everyone at the meal was served vegetarian food.
The BJP said the dish that caused confusion was spicy jackfruit curry.
It also listed dishes such as paneer curry, soya chunks curry and vegetable preparations.
BJP leaders accused the opposition of spreading false information and asked for proof or an apology.
The disagreement became another political argument about food and religious traditions during Sawan.
Opposition parties accused BJP president Nitin Nabin of eating non-vegetarian food during Sawan.
The controversy followed Nabin’s August 18, 2026, video of lunch with BJP workers in Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra Pradesh BJP chief P.V.N. Madhav said only vegetarian food was served during the visit.
The BJP identified the disputed dish as spicy jackfruit curry and listed several other vegetarian dishes.
The BJP demanded that opposition parties provide proof or apologise for what it called misinformation.
- Who
- BJP president Nitin Nabin, BJP leaders and workers, and opposition representatives from the Congress and Samajwadi Party.
- What
- A political dispute over whether Nabin’s Andhra Pradesh meal included non-vegetarian food or only vegetarian dishes.
- Where
- Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
- When
- The video was posted on August 18, 2026, during the Hindu holy month of Sawan; the BJP response was reported on Thursday.
- Why
- Opposition parties questioned whether the meal followed Sawan-related dietary expectations, while the BJP said the allegations were false and based on a misunderstanding of South Indian cuisine.
Opposition allegations
BJP response
What was served
Opposition allegations
The Congress and Samajwadi Party said the video appeared to show Nabin eating non-vegetarian food.
BJP response
The BJP said the meal was entirely vegetarian and that the disputed dish was spicy jackfruit curry.
Conduct during Sawan
Opposition allegations
Opposition parties questioned whether eating meat during Sawan was consistent with the BJP’s stated emphasis on Indian culture and traditions.
BJP response
The BJP said the meal was planned with Sawan customs in mind, particularly after Nabin visited the Simhachalam temple.
Political motive
Opposition allegations
The opposition presented the video as evidence of a gap between the BJP’s cultural messaging and its leaders’ conduct.
BJP response
The BJP called the allegations misinformation, said regional vegetarian dishes had been misunderstood, and accused the opposition of seeking political gain.
Key facts
- BJP president
- Nitin Nabin
- Meal description
- Nabin described the lunch as authentic Andhra cuisine shared with BJP workers.
- BJP account
- The BJP said only vegetarian food was served to leaders and party workers.
- Disputed dish
- The Chhattisgarh BJP identified it as traditional spicy jackfruit curry from the Uttarandhra region.
- Other dishes listed
- The BJP cited paneer curry, munjakala pulusu, dondakai palli fry, soya chunks curry, panasamukkalu masala curry and pesara ponukulu.
- Opposition allegation
- The Congress and Samajwadi Party alleged that Nabin had consumed meat during Sawan.
- BJP demand
- The BJP asked opposition parties to provide evidence or issue a public apology.
Quotes
P.V.N. Madhav
Andhra Pradesh BJP chief
“"Given that the president (Nabin) had just visited the Simhachalam temple and addressed all of us, we decided to serve only vegetarian food to all those who attended the meeting. Also, since Andhra food generally uses spices roasted and used, looking at the masala in the pictures, people would have inferred incorrectly. But we were very mindful of the auspicious shravana month (Sawan) observed in southern India as well, so only vegetarian meals were served to all."”
theprint.in
Neha Joshi
BJYM national vice‑president, Rajasthan
“"Whether journalists or politicians, one should stop prying into what is on others’ plates!"”
theprint.in
Sources
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