BRICS veg menu row: ‘Why shouldn’t we showcase it?’—Harsh Goenka hits back after Rahul Gandhi’s ‘80%’ remark

Goenka said he did not understand the criticism of the menu and highlighted several regional dishes served at the gala dinner, including mushroom galouti from Awadh and gucchi from Kashmir.

‘Why shouldn’t we showcase it?’

Taking to X, Goenka wrote, “I don’t understand the criticism of serving a vegetarian menu at BRICS. India arguably has the richest vegetarian cuisine in the world, so why shouldn’t we showcase it?

“And this is no ordinary veg menu: Khandvi from Gujarat, mushroom galouti from Awadh, gucchi from Kashmir, poriyal from the South, Old Delhi fruit cream with jalebi… a culinary journey across India. I wish I was invited for this sumptuous dinner!”

Rahul Gandhi’s ‘80%’ remark

Goenka's comments came after Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi criticised the all-vegetarian menu, highlighting India's non-vegetarian food culture.

Gandhi wrote on X, “For the record: 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian. Indian non-vegetarian food is delicious. As are my sister’s chole bhature.”

He accompanied the post with a photograph of chole bhature made by his sister, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Gandhi did not directly mention the BRICS dinner in his post. However, his remarks came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the BRICS gala dinner in New Delhi, where an entirely vegetarian menu was served.

Mahua Moitra takes a dig

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra took a dig at the BRICS menu urging the global leaders attending the summit to head to a non-vegetarian restaurant for their non-vegetarian food.

Moitra posted on X, "Would I be a bad MP if I advised the visiting BRICS leaders to give this menu a miss & get security to nip down to the nearest Karims & bring back some Burrab Kababs…"

What was on the BRICS menu?

The dinner featured a selection of vegetarian dishes representing different regions of India, including Khandvi from Gujarat, mushroom galouti from Awadh, gucchi from Kashmir and poriyal from South India.

The dessert spread included Old Delhi fruit cream and jalebi, adding another regional touch to the menu.

18th BRICS Summit

The 18th BRICS Summit was held in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, bringing together leaders and representatives of the BRICS member countries.

The vegetarian menu subsequently became a topic of political and social media debate, with Goenka defending the decision as an opportunity to showcase India's diverse vegetarian culinary traditions.