Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Fish Feast at Ayodhya Congress Event Sparks BJP-Congress Row
The Congress party held a welcome event for Ajay Rai in Ayodhya.
Fish curry was served at the event.
BJP leaders said this was disrespectful because Ayodhya is a holy place and Sawan was still taking place.
They also criticised the meal because Rai had visited temples.
Congress leaders said Rai is a vegetarian and did not eat the fish.
Ajay Rai challenged the BJP to show a picture of him eating fish.
The organiser said people have the constitutional right to choose their food.
He also said eating fish is part of the Nishad community’s tradition.
The disagreement became a political argument about religion, food and public events.
A Congress-organised welcome feast in Ayodhya reportedly included fish curry.
BJP leaders, including Yogi Adityanath, said the meal hurt religious sentiments during Sawan.
Congress MP Pawan Khera said Ajay Rai is vegetarian and accused the BJP of diverting attention from other issues.
Ajay Rai challenged BJP leaders to produce a photograph of him eating fish, offering to resign if they did.
Event organiser Ram Nihal Nishad defended serving fish, citing constitutional rights and Nishad community tradition.
- Who
- The event involved Congress Uttar Pradesh chief Ajay Rai, organiser Ram Nihal Nishad, BJP leaders including Yogi Adityanath, and Congress MP Pawan Khera.
- What
- A Congress welcome feast in Ayodhya reportedly served fish curry, prompting criticism from BJP leaders and a response from Congress.
- When
- The reports say the event took place while the holy month of Sawan had not ended, but provide no specific date.
- Where
- The event was held in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, near the city’s religious sites.
- Why
- BJP leaders said serving fish in Ayodhya during Sawan hurt religious sentiments, while the organiser said food choice was protected by the Constitution and reflected Nishad community tradition.
Congress’s Constitutional and Political Defence
BJP’s Religious and Cultural Objection
Serving fish at the event
Congress’s Constitutional and Political Defence
Ram Nihal Nishad said there was nothing wrong with eating fish and cited constitutional rights; he also said fishing and eating fish are traditions of the Nishad community.
BJP’s Religious and Cultural Objection
BJP leaders, including Yogi Adityanath, said serving fish in Ayodhya during Sawan disrespected religious sentiments and the city’s status as a holy site.
Ajay Rai’s involvement
Congress’s Constitutional and Political Defence
Congress MP Pawan Khera said Ajay Rai is vegetarian, and Rai challenged BJP leaders to produce a photograph of him eating fish.
BJP’s Religious and Cultural Objection
BJP leaders criticised the Congress event after Rai reportedly visited temples before going there, arguing that the feast was inappropriate in that setting.
Political significance
Congress’s Constitutional and Political Defence
Pawan Khera said the BJP’s criticism was intended to divert public attention from issues including exam paper leaks and the Ram temple donations theft case.
BJP’s Religious and Cultural Objection
BJP leaders portrayed the incident as evidence that Congress leaders were disrespectful toward religion and Ayodhya’s heritage.
- Event purpose
- A feast to welcome Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai and celebrate new party members
- Reported dish
- Fish curry
- Location
- Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
- Religious objection
- BJP leaders said the meal disrespected Ayodhya and hurt sentiments during Sawan
- Rai’s response
- Ajay Rai said he is vegetarian and challenged critics to show a photograph of him eating fish
- Organiser’s defence
- Ram Nihal Nishad said the Constitution allows people to eat what they choose
- Additional development
- Local residents protested after learning about the dish, according to the report
