Mufti Qasmi slams Rahul Gandhi's BRICS dinner jibe, backs UCC rollout
Synopsis
Islamic scholar Mufti Wajahat Qasmi fired back at Rahul Gandhi's BRICS dinner jibe, asserting non-vegetarian food has no place in Sanatan civilisation and that state occasions must project India's culture. In the same breath, he backed Amit Shah's UCC rollout across 21 NDA states and endorsed action against allegedly illegal madrasas in West Bengal — a rare multi-issue intervention from a Muslim cleric that cuts across the political grain.
Key Takeaways
Mufti Wajahat Qasmi criticised Rahul Gandhi 's social media remark about the all-vegetarian menu at the BRICS Summit gala dinner on 14 September 2026 .
Gandhi had posted a picture of chole bhature , claiming 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian.
Qasmi said there is 'no non-vegetarian food in Sanatan's civilisation and culture' and that BRICS showcased India's global strength.
The scholar welcomed Home Minister Amit Shah 's plan to implement the UCC across all 21 NDA-governed states before 2029 .
Qasmi also supported action against 252 alleged illegal madrasas in West Bengal , saying Islam does not sanction illegal religious institutions.
Islamic scholar Mufti Wajahat Qasmi on Monday, 14 September criticised Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, over his remarks targeting the all-vegetarian menu at the BRICS Summit gala dinner, asserting that India's civilisational traditions deserve respect on the global stage.
Gandhi's Social Media Remark
Gandhi had posted a picture of chole bhature on his social media accounts, writing: 'For the record: 80 per cent of Indians are non-vegetarian. Indian non-vegetarian food is delicious. As are my sister's chole bhature.' The post was widely interpreted as a swipe at the all-vegetarian menu served at the BRICS Summit's official dinner.
Qasmi's Rebuke
'India is a land of Sanatan, and there is no non-vegetarian food in Sanatan's civilisation and culture. Every country has its own dignity,' Qasmi said. He acknowledged Gandhi's personal dietary choices were his own prerogative, but argued that state occasions are platforms to project national culture to the world.
'If he wants to eat non-vegetarian food, there is no problem; no one is stopping him. But every country uses such occasions to showcase its culture, civilisation and traditions,' Qasmi said. He further added that Gandhi's remarks 'only diminish his stature' and that the BRICS summit itself demonstrated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's global standing.
Qasmi Backs UCC Push Across NDA States
The scholar also welcomed Union Home Minister Amit Shah's announcement that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) would be implemented across all 21 states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) before 2029. 'There should be one nation, one law and one Constitution, with the entire country governed by the same framework. Separate personal laws for different communities should not exist in the country,' Qasmi said. He noted that Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was the first to implement the UCC in his state.
Vande Mataram and Madrasa Closures
On the singing of 'Vande Mataram' before the National Anthem ahead of the India-Afghanistan T20I match, Qasmi said the National Song had been accorded the same legal respect as the National Anthem and expressed hope that citizens across India would sing it with equal reverence.
Responding to reports of the closure of 252 madrasas in West Bengal, Qasmi argued that religious institutions must operate within the law. He alleged that political patronage had allowed some mosques and madrasas to be established illegally, and said: 'If such madrasas are being shut down... legal action is being taken, it is a good thing. Muslims should welcome it. Islam does not approve of illegal madrasas or illegal mosques.'
Broader Context
The remarks come at a politically charged moment, with the BRICS Summit having drawn significant domestic commentary and the UCC debate intensifying ahead of several state assembly elections. Qasmi's interventions — spanning food politics, civil code reform, and madrasa governance — reflect the layered national conversation around identity, law, and political messaging.
Point of View
Backing madrasa closures, and defending the vegetarian BRICS menu in the same sitting. Whether sincere or strategic, it hands the ruling establishment a rare cross-community voice on three of its most contested policy fronts simultaneously. Gandhi's original post, meanwhile, underscores a recurring Congress dilemma — asserting majority-community identity while pitching to minority voters. The 80%-non-vegetarian claim, though widely cited, lacks a single verified national dietary survey to back it, and the political point it was meant to score may have been overtaken by the backlash.
NationPress
14 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Rahul Gandhi say about the BRICS Summit dinner menu?
Rahul Gandhi posted a picture of chole bhature on social media, stating that 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian and that Indian non-vegetarian food is delicious. The post was widely seen as a criticism of the all-vegetarian menu served at the BRICS Summit gala dinner.
Why did Mufti Wajahat Qasmi criticise Rahul Gandhi?
Qasmi argued that state occasions like BRICS are platforms to showcase a country's culture and civilisational traditions, and that Gandhi's remark disrespected India's Sanatan heritage. He said such remarks diminish Gandhi's own stature rather than making a valid political point.
What is Mufti Qasmi's stance on the Uniform Civil Code?
Qasmi welcomed Home Minister Amit Shah's announcement that the UCC would be implemented across all 21 NDA-governed states before 2029. He said all developed countries have a uniform civil code and that separate personal laws for different communities should not exist in India.
What did Qasmi say about the 252 madrasa closures in West Bengal?
Qasmi supported the closure of allegedly illegal madrasas, saying that Islam does not sanction illegal religious institutions. He alleged that political patronage had allowed some mosques and madrasas to be set up illegally and that legal action against them is appropriate.
What is the controversy around Vande Mataram at the India-Afghanistan T20I match?
Vande Mataram was sung before the National Anthem ahead of the India-Afghanistan T20I match, sparking debate. Qasmi defended the practice, saying the National Song has been accorded the same legal respect as the National Anthem and should be sung with equal patriotism.
