Rahul Gandhi’s Brics dinner remark draws BJP backlash

NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday took a swipe at the all-vegetarian menu served at the Brics Summit gala dinner, saying that “80% of Indians are non-vegetarian”, while Union minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress of politicising the food served to the visiting leaders.Sharing a picture of Chole Bhature, Rahul in a social media post said, “For the record: 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian. Indian non-vegetarian food is delicious. As are my sister’s chole bhature.”Rahul’s remarks came a day after an elaborate vegetarian spread was served at a gala dinner hosted during the Brics Summit. The menu featured dishes representing different regional cuisines from across India.Without naming any specific leader, Rijiju criticised the Congress over the remarks, saying the party was making an issue out of the food served to leaders of BRICS nations.“I can’t believe that Congress party is making politics even on the food menu served to the leaders of BRICS nations. Our guests relished Indian vegetarian cuisine which are rich in flavor and nutritional variety with diverse regional traditions,” Rijiju said.

What was served at the Brics gala dinner?

The dinner began with starters including ‘Khandvi mille’, a steamed gram-flour roll tempered with mustard, coconut and curry leaves, and ‘Khumb galouti’, pan-grilled mushroom kebabs served with mint pearls.The main course featured ‘Paneer Lababdar’, ‘Gucchi Marmik’, made with Himalayan morel mushrooms and tender asparagus, and ‘Carrot Bean Poriyal’.The spread also included ‘Thakkali Belle Saaru’, a light lentil broth, millet pulao, beetroot raita and an assortment of Indian breads.For dessert, VVIP guests were served ‘Old Delhi fruit cream with jalebi’ and ‘Shahtoot phirni’.The gala dinner was also accompanied by a performance featuring an ensemble of more than 100 artistes, drawn largely from India as well as other Brics member countries.