Kerala guv's 'veg-only kitchen' diktat on first day of assuming office sparks row

Kerala's governor, Om Prakash Mathur, decided on his first day in office to make the Lok Bhavan kitchen a vegetarian-only environment, sparking a political debate. Congress leader K C Venugopal criticized Mathur, alleging he is pushing the Sangh Parivar's agenda.

Venugopal stated that the decision infringed on individual freedom and restricted Keralites' food choices. He emphasized that Kerala has a rich food culture and abundant fish resources, allowing people to choose between vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals. Any attempt to dictate what residents should eat is unconstitutional, he argued.

The governor, who is a strict vegetarian, had informed the Lok Bhavan kitchen staff that no non-vegetarian food would be prepared or served. Sources in the governor's office confirmed this directive, explaining that the kitchen only caters to the governor and a few members of his personal staff. Other employees prefer to bring their own meals or eat outside, and no restrictions have been placed on their dietary choices.