Congress MP Karti Chidambaram on Saturday tore into the BJP-led government over the all-vegetarian state banquet hosted in honour of Russian President
Vladimir Putin at Rashtrapati Bhavan, calling it an attempt to impose "puritanical vegetarianism" in the name of culture. "Completely vegetarian? Why?" Chidambaram asked in a post on social media platform X, questioning the exclusion of meat, fowl, fish, and Indian wines from the official dinner menu. "To acknowledge and celebrate Indian cuisine, dishes of meat, fowl and seafood should have been included. Indian wines should have featured too. 80% of Indians eat meat, fowl or fish. It’s an intrinsic part of our culinary culture. This ‘puritanical’ vegetarian thrust is a BJP & allied outfits construct," he said.
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Vegetarian banquet for Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers, and diplomats from both countries were presented with a two-page, purely vegetarian menu at the state dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday, December 6.
The elaborate vegetarian spread opened with Murungelai Chaaru, a delicate broth of moringa leaves and moong beans, garnished with curry leaf–scented seeds. Appetisers included Gucchi Doon Chetin (stuffed morels with white walnut chutney), Kaale Chane Ke Shikampuri kebabs, and Vegetable Jhol Momos served with chutney.
For the main course, guests were served Zaafrani Paneer Roll, Palak Methi Matar Ka Saag, Tandoori Bharwan Aloo, Achaari Baingan, and Dal Tadka.
Dessert featured Badam Halwa, Kesar Pista Kulfi, and a platter of fresh fruits.
President Putin departed from Delhi shortly after the dinner with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, seeing him off.
During his two-day visit, Putin co-hosted the India-Russia Annual Summit with PM Modi. Both leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in building stable and efficient transport corridors. They also agreed to take the India-Russia economic partnership to "new heights" by 2030.
(With agency inputs)
