New Delhi, October 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A controversy over reports that Kerala Governor Om Prakash Mathur has directed the Lok Bhavan kitchen to serve only vegetarian food has triggered a political debate, with BJP leaders defending his right to decide food arrangements at his residence and CPI(M) leaders questioning the move.
Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav said individuals were free to choose what they wanted to eat and cook, describing such freedom as part of India’s civilisation and culture. He also accused Congress leader K.C. Venugopal of unnecessarily targeting the Lok Bhavan.
“Everyone has the freedom to express themselves and to eat and cook what they want,” Yadav said, adding that people should be free to follow their own choices, speak their language and practise their religion.
BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal also defended the reported decision, arguing that the Governor had the right to determine food arrangements at his official residence. He criticised Venugopal for raising objections, accusing the Congress of turning a non-issue into a political controversy.
CPI(M) MP V. Sivadasan, however, strongly opposed the reported restriction, citing Kerala’s multicultural character and the importance of individual food choices.
“Everyone has the right to choose their food. How can the Governor direct his employees or staff to consume only vegetarian food? It is a horrible thing,” Sivadasan said.
The controversy emerged on Friday, when Mathur was sworn in as Kerala’s 29th Governor. Media reports said he had directed that non-vegetarian food should neither be prepared nor served in the Lok Bhavan kitchen.
Sources in the Governor’s office said Mathur was a strict vegetarian and had ordered the change for that reason. They clarified that the reported decision did not restrict Lok Bhavan employees from choosing what they ate.
Venugopal, the Congress general secretary, alleged that the Governor had overstepped his authority by directing the kitchen to prepare only vegetarian food.
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