New Delhi, Jan 26 (NationPress) In the politically charged atmosphere of West Bengal, the debate surrounding the recently introduced Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, which is currently offering “vegetarian only” meals, continues to create waves. This comes despite Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw clarifying that this limitation is merely a short-term measure.

The ruling party, the Trinamool Congress, has leveraged this situation in various public forums, associating it with broader political matters such as language disputes and alleged electoral roll manipulations, suggesting an infringement on personal freedom and choice.

The clarification from the Minister was perceived as a response to mounting public and political pressure. On January 17, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express from Malda on its route to Kamakhya, providing passengers with an airline-like journey at more affordable prices, thus facilitating quicker, more comfortable, and economical long-distance travel.

The train departing from Kolkata features traditional Bengali dishes, while the one from Guwahati offers genuine Assamese cuisine. However, the absence of non-vegetarian options in the initial catering menu sparked significant controversy, further intensified by the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal.

The Trinamool Congress wasted no time in addressing the issue, highlighting the importance of non-vegetarian choices for the Bengali community, while the main opposition party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), defended the Railways Ministry. Both parties accused each other of politicizing what should be a routine railway decision.

“First, they controlled our votes. Now they’re controlling our meals,” a lengthy social media post from the Trinamool declared, linking to a report from a Bengali publication.

“Today, it’s about our food. Tomorrow, it could involve our clothing, our relationships, our lifestyles. We are witnessing the “Banchte Chai, BJP Tai” model, where Bengalis are coerced into a singular identity by anti-Bengali landlords,” the post further asserted.

As Trinamool Congress members took to social media to amplify the issue, BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar from Balurghat and Union Minister of State for Education reached out directly to Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Vaishnaw later clarified on Saturday that there are no long-term plans to limit the menu to vegetarian offerings. The initial selection was constrained due to the train’s recent launch, with promises of non-vegetarian options being introduced soon.

Following this discussion, Majumdar revealed that he had informed the Rail Minister of the Trinamool's attempts to distort the narrative around the vegetarian-only menu.

“He assured me that non-vegetarian meals will be available shortly,” he stated publicly. Nonetheless, the Trinamool remains skeptical, recognizing an opportunity to capitalize on this emotive issue leading up to the elections, despite the Railway Minister's reassurances.

Even if current analyses suggest that this controversy is largely overblown, both political factions are fiercely competing for dominance in the crucial upcoming elections in West Bengal.

The semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Sleeper train, capable of reaching speeds of up to 180 kilometers per hour, accommodates over 820 passengers.

Among the amenities are comfortable sleeper berths, automatic doors, the Railway’s KAVACH safety system, modern washrooms, CCTV surveillance, digital passenger information systems, and comprehensive fire detection and safety monitoring systems.