Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Rahul Gandhi’s BRICS Menu Post Sparks Political Food Debate
Rahul Gandhi commented on the vegetarian meal served at a BRICS Summit dinner.
He said India has many food traditions and that most Indians eat non-vegetarian food.
BJP leaders criticized him for focusing on the menu during an important international meeting.
Devendra Fadnavis said Gandhi should recognize the summit’s diplomatic achievements.
Vishwas Sarang said Gandhi should talk about the issues discussed by the participating countries.
Fadnavis pointed to the unanimous Delhi Declaration as a major success.
Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad said all kinds of food should be respected.
The disagreement is about whether the dinner menu or the summit’s diplomatic results deserved more attention.
Rahul Gandhi highlighted India’s dietary diversity after an all-vegetarian BRICS Summit dinner in New Delhi.
He wrote that 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian and praised Indian non-vegetarian food and his sister’s chole bhature.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accused Gandhi of failing to appreciate India’s diplomatic achievements at the summit.
Madhya Pradesh Minister Vishwas Sarang said Gandhi should discuss the summit’s substantive issues rather than its menu.
Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad defended respect for India’s varied food traditions, attire, beliefs and customs.
- Who
- Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, BJP leaders Devendra Fadnavis and Vishwas Sarang, and Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad.
- What
- A political dispute followed Gandhi’s comments about the all-vegetarian BRICS dinner menu and India’s diverse food traditions.
- When
- The reactions came after the BRICS Summit dinner and Gandhi’s subsequent social media posts.
- Where
- The BRICS Summit dinner took place in New Delhi; the reactions included statements from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- BJP leaders said attention should have focused on the summit’s diplomatic outcomes, while the Samajwadi Party supported respecting India’s varied food traditions.
Focus on Food Diversity
Focus on Diplomatic Achievements
Meaning of Gandhi’s post
Focus on Food Diversity
Rahul Gandhi’s supporters, including Awadhesh Prasad, emphasized that India has diverse food traditions and that all types of food should be respected.
Focus on Diplomatic Achievements
Devendra Fadnavis and Vishwas Sarang viewed the post as an inappropriate focus on the dinner menu during an international summit.
What deserved attention
Focus on Food Diversity
The menu prompted discussion of the fact that Indians have different dietary practices and traditions.
Focus on Diplomatic Achievements
BJP leaders said the focus should instead be on the summit’s diplomatic discussions and the unanimously adopted Delhi Declaration.
- Event
- BRICS Summit dinner
- Dinner menu
- An all-vegetarian meal was served
- Rahul Gandhi’s claim
- Gandhi wrote that 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian
- Diplomatic outcome cited
- The Delhi Declaration was unanimously adopted, according to Devendra Fadnavis
- BJP criticism
- Leaders said Gandhi should focus on substantive summit issues rather than food
- SP response
- Awadhesh Prasad said all kinds of food and India’s traditions should be respected