Story perspectives

Congress blasts Modi’s all-vegetarian BRICS gala dinner

By Drooid · Sep 14, 2026, 10:07 AM UTC · How we work

Left

BJP diet imposition

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted an all-vegetarian gala dinner for BRICS leaders at New Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam on September 12, 2026.
Congress leaders argued the vegetarian menu forced the BJP’s dietary preferences on international guests, despite roughly 80 % of Indians eating meat.
Congress media head Pawan Khera said the BJP imposed its diet on the delegates.
Chef Kaushik Misra said the “India Friendship Menu” included non-vegetarian dishes such as Nalli Nihari.

Right

Criticism Dismissed as Partisan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted an all-vegetarian gala dinner for BRICS leaders at New Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam on September 12, 2026.
Right-leaning coverage framed the criticism as partisan, noting that attending leaders praised the menu while BJP officials dismissed opposition complaints.
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said the opposition’s focus showed they had nothing else to criticize.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale added no delegations complained and the food was well received.

Blindspot

Chef Kaushik Misra said the in-room “India Friendship Menu” also contained non-vegetarian dishes, including Nalli Nihari, after consulting the preferences of the BRICS delegations.
Within this story's sources, this detail appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Right-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

Since the International Vegetarian Union founded its first congress in Dresden (1908), the movement has held landmark gatherings, such as the 1975 World Vegetarian Congress that drew 2,300 delegates from 50 nations and required over 5,000 meals. On 12 September 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BRICS gala in New Delhi served an all-vegetarian menu, reflecting India’s long-standing use of vegetarian diplomacy.

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BJP diet imposition

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted an all-vegetarian gala dinner for BRICS leaders at New Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam on September 12, 2026.
Congress leaders argued the vegetarian menu forced the BJP’s dietary preferences on international guests, despite roughly 80 % of Indians eating meat.
Congress media head Pawan Khera said the BJP imposed its diet on the delegates.
Chef Kaushik Misra said the “India Friendship Menu” included non-vegetarian dishes such as Nalli Nihari.

1 / 4