Kerala Governor Sparks Row Over Vegetarian Kitchen Order
Governor Om Prakash Mathur faces political backlash after ordering that the Lok Bhavan kitchen serve only vegetarian food on his first day in office.
Kerala Governor Om Prakash Mathur sparked a political controversy on his first day in office by directing that the Lok Bhavan kitchen be strictly vegetarian. Mathur, a strict vegetarian from Rajasthan, instructed staff not to prepare or serve non-vegetarian food in the kitchen used for his meals and a small group of personal staff.
Lok Bhavan officials clarified that the directive stems from the governor's personal dietary beliefs and does not restrict the personal food choices of other employees, who may bring their own meals or eat outside. However, opposition leaders from the Congress and CPI(M) condemned the move. AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal and CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan alleged the order is an attempt to implement the "saffron agenda" of the Sangh Parivar and promote communal polarization.
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and CPI(M) MP V. Sivadasan further argued that dietary choices are a matter of personal liberty and fundamental rights, with Sivadasan describing the order as "horrible" in the context of Kerala's multicultural character. In contrast, BJP leaders including Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav and MP Praveen Khandelwal defended the governor, asserting his right to decide the food arrangements at his official residence.
