# Vegetarian Menu for BRICS Dignitaries Sparks Political Clash as Kiren Rijiju Criticizes Opposition Objections

> A political row has erupted over the exclusive vegetarian menu served at the BRICS dinner, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju slamming the Congress party for politicizing India's hospitality.

**Type:** article · **Category:** India · **Published:** 2026-09-13 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/national/brics-shikhara-sammelana-ke-ratribhoja-men-shakahari-bhojana-para-ghamasana-congress-ke-virodha-para-kiren-rijiju-ka-karara-javaba-31937 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** BRICS Summit, Kiren Rijiju, Congress, Narendra Modi, Vegetarian Food, Indian Politics, Foreign Dignitaries

A fresh political debate has erupted in India over the hospitality extended during the high-profile BRICS summit. The controversy centers around the dinner menu prepared for the visiting international dignitaries, sparking a sharp exchange of words between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Congress. Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju has strongly criticized the opposition for politicizing the culinary choices offered to global leaders at the official state banquet.

The conflict began when certain political figures aligned with the Congress party took to social media to question the official menu. They raised objections over the exclusive selection of vegetarian dishes, asking why non-vegetarian options were excluded from the banquet hosted for international heads of state. The opposition’s remarks suggested that a singular culinary preference was being imposed on a diverse group of global leaders.

## Union Minister Rebuts Opposition Objections
In response to the criticism, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju launched a direct counterattack on the Congress party via the social media platform X. He expressed deep disappointment over the fact that a national guest-hosting event was being used for partisan politics. Rebutting the allegations, Rijiju wrote, "I cannot believe the Congress party is politicizing even the food menu served to the leaders of BRICS nations." He emphasized that the foreign guests thoroughly appreciated the meal, which was designed to highlight the country's rich traditions.

Rijiju strongly defended the decision to serve an exclusively vegetarian feast, arguing that Indian vegetarian cuisine is globally renowned for its immense variety, rich flavors, and high nutritional value. According to the minister, the menu served as a representation of India's cultural heritage and hospitality. He pointed out that the visiting dignitaries showed great appreciation for the local delicacies, which spanned various regional traditions from across the country.

## Showcasing India's Hospitality on the Global Stage
The banquet was hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in honor of the visiting heads of state attending the BRICS Summit 2026, which India is proud to host. The prestigious event saw active participation from several Union Ministers, state Chief Ministers, and senior officials. The gathering served as a platform to display authentic Indian hospitality and cultural depth to the world.

In his social media updates, Rijiju shared his pride in India's role as the host of the summit under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. He noted that the dinner provided an opportunity for leaders and ministers to come together and welcome the foreign delegates in a warm, traditional atmosphere. By presenting carefully curated vegetarian dishes from different Indian states, the government aimed to project the country's diverse culinary identity on the international stage, a move that has now become the latest flashpoint in domestic politics.

## What this means for you
This political controversy highlights how cultural representation and hospitality are perceived through a political lens, carrying broader implications for citizens.

- **Promotion of Cultural Identity:** Highlighting traditional vegetarian cuisine at global events strengthens India's cultural branding on the international stage. This can lead to increased global interest and acceptance of India's diverse culinary traditions and healthy lifestyle choices.
- **Boost to Food Tourism:** Showcasing unique regional dishes to international dignitaries can provide a significant boost to India's culinary tourism sector. Traditional hospitality businesses and local culinary artisans may experience growing interest and revenue from visiting food enthusiasts.
- **Demand for Agricultural Goods:** The focus on pure vegetarian menus can drive the demand for organic products and traditional grains like millets. This will eventually benefit local farmers as both domestic and international markets for healthy agricultural produce expand.
- **Understanding Political Narratives:** This clash demonstrates how even hospitality menus can become tools for political messaging. For the general public, it illustrates how national-level diplomatic events are analyzed under partisan perspectives.

## Why this happened
The dispute arose from differing political and ideological approaches toward cultural representation and diplomacy at international events.

- **Disagreement Over Culinary Representation:** Some leaders associated with the Congress party felt that serving only vegetarian food did not represent the complete diversity of Indian cuisine. They argued that providing non-vegetarian options would have been more accommodating to international leaders' varied preferences.
- **Showcasing Cultural Heritage:** For the ruling government, the vegetarian menu was a conscious choice to highlight India's rich regional culinary traditions and wellness-oriented culture. They viewed it as an opportunity to project a proud aspect of Indian heritage onto a global platform.
- **Defense of National Pride:** Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju viewed the opposition's questioning as an unnecessary political attack on national hospitality. The government maintained that domestic politics should not interfere with events hosted for foreign heads of state.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What is the controversy surrounding the BRICS summit dinner?
The controversy arose because only traditional vegetarian food was served at the official BRICS dinner hosted by PM Modi, leading some leaders associated with the Congress party to question the menu on social media.

### 2. How did Kiren Rijiju respond to the allegations made by the opposition?
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress party of playing politics over food, stating that the foreign dignitaries thoroughly enjoyed the nutritious and flavorful vegetarian meal.

### 3. What kind of cuisine was showcased at the banquet?
The banquet featured an array of traditional vegetarian delicacies from different Indian states, aimed at highlighting the country's diverse culinary identity to the world.

### 4. Who attended the special dinner hosted during the BRICS Summit 2026?
The official dinner was attended by heads of state from BRICS nations, alongside several Indian Union Ministers, state Chief Ministers, and senior dignitaries.

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