BRICS Dinner Menu Sparks Political Dispute in India

A political dispute erupted in India over the menu of a gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for BRICS leaders, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticizing the all-vegetarian spread and the ruling BJP accusing the opposition of politicizing the event. Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, posted on social media on Sunday, September 13, 2026, "For the record 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian. Indian non-vegetarian food is delicious, as are my sisters chole bhature." He shared a picture of the popular North Indian dish. The comment came a day after Modi hosted BRICS leaders and delegates at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, where the dinner featured an elaborate vegetarian menu. The menu included starters such as Khandvi Mille-Feuille and Khumb Galouti, with a main course of Paneer Lababdar, Gucchi Marmik, and other regional dishes. Desserts featured Old Delhi Fruit Cream with Jalebi and Shahtoot Phirni. The dinner was accompanied by a performance by an ensemble of over 100 artistes from India and other BRICS countries. The BJP responded sharply.