Rahul Gandhi cites non-veg majority after all-vegetarian BRICS gala dinner

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said that a majority of Indians are non-vegetarian, describing Indian non-vegetarian cuisine as delicious. His remarks came a day after an entirely vegetarian spread was served at the gala dinner of the BRICS Summit.

In a post shared on X, Facebook and Instagram, Mr. Gandhi wrote that 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian and that Indian non-vegetarian food is delicious. He added that the same was true of his sister's chole bhature, and posted a photograph of the dish on a dining table.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the dinner for leaders and delegates of the BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam on Saturday.

The meal featured an elaborate all-vegetarian menu. Starters included 'khandvi mille', a steamed gram-flour roll, and 'khumb galouti', pan-grilled mushroom kebabs served with mint pearls.

For the main course, guests were offered 'paneer lababdar', 'gucchi marmik' — prepared with Himalayan morel mushrooms and tender asparagus — and 'carrot bean poriyal'. The spread also included 'thakkali belle saaru', a light lentil broth, along with millet pulao, beetroot raita and assorted Indian breads.

Desserts comprised 'Old Delhi fruit cream with jalebi' and 'shahtoot phirni'. The dinner was accompanied by a performance by an ensemble of more than 100 artistes, drawn largely from India and other member countries of BRICS.