New Delhi: When foreign heads of state visit Delhi, it is customary for the Prime Minister to host an official dinner at Hyderabad House. During former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s tenure, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options were served, with a rose placed before plates of guests who preferred non-vegetarian food to guide servers.
In recent times, however, only vegetarian food is being served at these dinners, according to the report. Opposition parties have alleged that the change reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal dietary preference, as he is a vegetarian.
Officials, on the other hand, said the menu is designed to showcase India’s diverse regional cuisines to foreign dignitaries and help popularise them. The dinners reportedly include one or two dishes from southern states, such as millet dosa.
The report also said Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and party president Mallikarjun Kharge do not attend these dinners. Rahul Gandhi had earlier boycotted the events and later wrote to the Prime Minister seeking opportunities to meet visiting leaders, but invitations were not sent thereafter, it added.
Officials were quoted as saying that because Rahul Gandhi criticises the Indian government during foreign visits, there is a view that he would speak against the government even while meeting visiting leaders in India, and hence he is not invited.
