Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) on Thursday, 17 September 2026, launched a sharp attack on the Centre over the exclusively vegetarian menu served to world leaders at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, calling it an unacceptable imposition of dietary preferences on international guests. The criticism came through an editorial in the party's mouthpiece, Saamana, targeting the gala dinner hosted at Bharat Mandapam on 12 September.

What the Editorial Said

The Saamana editorial argued that food choices — whether vegetarian or non-vegetarian — are a matter of personal freedom, and that neither governments nor political organisations have the right to dictate them. The dinner, attended by leaders of the expanded 11-member BRICS grouping, featured dishes including Khandvi, Mushroom Kebabs, Paneer Lababdar, Millet Pulao, Gujarati-style Dhokli Bele Saru (a tomato-dal curry), Jalebi, and Phirni.

The editorial described the spread as forcing guests to 'consume grass and wild greens,' adding: 'Eighty per cent of the world's population, including most of the visiting delegates, eats non-vegetarian food. What did the Modi government achieve by imposing vegetarianism on them? It made India a laughing stock on the global stage.'

Historical Comparisons Invoked

The Uddhav Thackeray-led party backed its argument with historical precedent, noting that Mahatma Gandhi — whose birthplace was cited in defence of the vegetarian menu — never imposed his personal dietary choices on others. The editorial recalled that when Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan visited Sevagram Ashram in Wardha, a separate kitchen was set up outside the main premises to prepare non-vegetarian meals for his family.

It also cited former Prime Minister Morarji Desai, a strict teetotaller, who reportedly allowed vodka to be poured into his glass during a state visit to Russia and raised it for toasts without drinking — as an example of respecting diplomatic traditions while maintaining personal convictions. By contrast, the editorial noted that during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Mahabalipuram, the menu reportedly included non-vegetarian delicacies prepared by specialised chefs brought in from across the country.

What Was Missing From the Table

The party argued that iconic culinary staples — Karim's non-vegetarian dishes, Tandoori Chicken, Biryani, Butter Chicken, Goan Fish Curry, Kolhapuri Pandhra-Tambda Rassa, and Malvani Fish — would have offered visiting leaders a more authentic and satisfying experience of India's diverse food culture.

The editorial also drew an unflattering comparison with lavish Indian weddings, including the recent wedding of Supriya Sule's daughter Revati, claiming such events offered superior and more varied cuisine than what was served to BRICS leaders.

Broader Cultural and Political Concerns

Beyond the summit dinner, the Saamana editorial alleged a wider campaign by the ruling establishment and its aligned organisations to reshape India's diverse food culture. It referenced the handover of mid-day meal contracts in schools to organisations such as ISKCON, claiming that eggs have been removed from children's diets as a result. The editorial also flagged discrimination against non-vegetarians in housing in cities like Mumbai, calling such practices 'a crime.'

The piece concluded with a pointed political dig: 'Individual dietary preference is a personal choice. While the government indulges in the non-vegetarianism of corruption, it denies people their fish and chicken. PM Modi and his followers may prefer Khichdi, while others prefer Biryani. No party or sect has the right to destroy our rich food culture.' This marks the latest salvo from the Uddhav camp in its sustained opposition to what it characterises as cultural overreach by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre.