A political controversy broke out on Monday, 24 August after a video emerged showing fish being prepared at a banquet hall in Ayodhya, where a welcome programme was held for Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a sharp attack on the Congress, arguing that organising a fish feast in Ayodhya during the holy month of Sawan was an affront to religious sentiments. The Congress defended the event, accusing the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of attempting to dictate personal choices, including dietary ones.

What Triggered the Row

The controversy began after a video surfaced showing fish being prepared at the venue where the welcome event was organised for Rai and other Congress leaders. Some local religious figures objected to the food arrangement, citing the sanctity of the month of Sawan. The event organiser, however, defended the arrangement, stating that every individual holds the constitutional right to eat food of their choice.

Ajay Rai, who was in Ayodhya on Sunday, had visited the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple and Hanuman Garhi before attending the welcome programme in Tarun, Ayodhya. He also recited the Hanuman Chalisa at Hanuman Garhi. The welcome event was organised by Congress leader Ram Nihal Nishad, who had recently joined the party, with food arrangements made for a large number of attendees.

What the BJP Said

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak called the episode unfortunate. 'Look, it is very sad. Ayodhya Dham is our holy site. It is the abode of Lord Ram Lalla, and to have this kind of feast there, and that too in the month of Sawan, reflects the culture of the Congress,' Pathak said.

BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo went further, alleging that the Congress had insulted religious sentiments linked to Ayodhya and Sawan. 'For Sanatanis, Lord Ram is known as Maryadapurushottam. During the auspicious month of Sawan, if someone consumes fish, it reflects their mindset. These are the people who do not believe in Lord Ram. They had even filed an affidavit saying that Lord Ram was imaginary,' Shahdeo said. He also challenged the Congress, saying: 'If you have the courage, then consume restricted items at Mecca and Medina. We respect all religions, but why do you target only Hindus? Congress leaders will have to face the consequences.'

Uttar Pradesh Minister Sanjay Nishad also weighed in, framing the issue around the socio-economic condition of the Nishad community. 'Congress wants to trap Nishads by throwing a net and feeding them fish,' he said, questioning why the community remained poor and undereducated despite such gestures.

Congress Fires Back

Congress leader Pawan Khera questioned whether political organisations had any authority over what people cook or eat. 'The leader, Nishad ji (Ram Nihal Nishad), who hosted this programme, has recently come from the BJP. If someone invites a person to their home or an event, will you dictate terms about what should be cooked and what should not be cooked?' Khera said. He also noted that Rai is himself a vegetarian, adding that no organisation should have the power to decide what individuals eat.

Khera further accused the RSS of attempting to intrude into personal lives. 'We still fail to understand who they are to dictate whether Muslims should wear a hijab or whether Nishads should eat fish. That is why Rahul Gandhi repeatedly targets the RSS, saying that they want to intrude into everyone's personal lives,' he said.

Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput accused the BJP of insulting the Nishad community. 'The descendants of Nishad Raj, who was a close friend of Lord Shri Ram, had organised a meal for Ajay Rai ji. Today, by making allegations against the Nishad community over fish, the BJP is insulting, boycotting and humiliating the community,' Rajput said.

The Nishad Community Angle

Central to the dispute is the involvement of the Nishad community, a fishing community for whom consuming fish is a longstanding cultural tradition. The welcome programme itself was hosted by Ram Nihal Nishad, a Congress leader who had recently switched from the BJP. Both parties are now trading accusations over which side genuinely respects and represents the community's interests — a politically significant constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

What Comes Next

The row is unlikely to fade quickly, given that Ayodhya remains a deeply symbolic political and religious flashpoint and Sawan continues through the coming weeks. Both parties are expected to use the episode to consolidate their respective vote banks ahead of future state-level contests. The controversy also feeds into a broader, ongoing national debate about dietary freedom, religious sensitivities, and the limits of political commentary on personal choices.