New Delhi: Amid a brewing political storm over the all-vegetarian menu served to global leaders at the recent BRICS Summit gala dinner, former Iceland President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson has weighed in with a nostalgic international anecdote. Taking to social media, Grimsson recalled hosting a completely vegetarian state banquet for former Indian President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam during his official visit to the Nordic nation.
The controversy erupted after Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted an exclusive dinner for BRICS leaders at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Saturday. The menu, designed to showcase India’s culinary heritage, featured a diverse array of traditional and modern vegetarian delicacies. The items served included Khandvi, Paneer Lababdar, Gucchi Marmik, Bajra Pulao, Mushroom Galouti, and Jalebi.
However, the meatless spread quickly drew sharp criticism from the opposition. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi took to social media to highlight the country’s dietary demographics. “Just for information—80% of Indians are non-vegetarians. Indian non-vegetarian food is delicious, and so are my sister’s chhole bhature,” Gandhi wrote.
Stepping up the attack, Congress media department head Pawan Khera accused the ruling BJP of forcing its dietary preferences on international dignitaries. Sharing a screenshot of the menu on X, Khera stated that India is a diverse country with world-renowned non-vegetarian cuisine. He questioned why the Modi government chose to hide this aspect of Indian culture, asking, “Are they ashamed of the diversity that makes India what it is?”
Responding to the broader online mockery of the vegetarian state dinner, Grimsson shared a poignant memory on X to offer a different perspective. “When I hosted a State Banquet for the President of India on his first such visit to a Nordic country, I also offered a fully vegetarian menu. Over 20 years ago and in Iceland, where it is not easy to be a vegetarian!!” he wrote, referencing Dr Kalam’s historic 2005 state visit. Grimsson served as the President of Iceland from 1996 to 2016.
Meanwhile, the BJP swiftly retaliated against the opposition’s remarks. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju condemned the Congress for politicising the summit’s hospitality and international diplomacy. “I cannot believe the Congress party is doing politics even over the food menu served to BRICS leaders. Our guests thoroughly enjoyed the Indian vegetarian dishes, which are full of flavour, nutrition, and represent various regional traditions,” Rijiju stated.