‘Sangh Parivar’s saffron agenda’: Venugopal slams Kerala Governor Om Prakash Mathur’s vegetarian-only kitchen directive to Lok Bhavan

The reported decision by Kerala Governor Om Prakash Mathur to transition the Lok Bhavan kitchen to an all-vegetarian menu has triggered a political debate. Congress leader K.C. Venugopal accused the Governor of advancing the Sangh Parivar's agenda through the move, according to TOI.

Mathur, who previously served as Governor of Sikkim, ordered that non-vegetarian items be excluded from preparation and service in the Lok Bhavan kitchen. According to a PTI report, news of the directive emerged on Thursday, a day prior to his official oath-taking.

Responding to the developments shortly after Mathur took oath as Kerala's 29th governor, AICC General Secretary Venugopal stated that the directive extended beyond personal dietary choices and infringed upon individual rights. He emphasized Kerala's varied culinary traditions and coastal fish reserves, noting that citizens retain the right to select vegetarian or non-vegetarian options.


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"Any attempt to restrict the food habits Keralites are accustomed to or dictate what they should eat from now on cannot be accepted," he said as quoted by PTI.

Venugopal maintained that constraints intruding on dietary preferences and attempting to eliminate local customs breach constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights. He further claimed the Governor was exercising his office to curb personal liberties rather than safeguarding them.

"This is a continuation of the unconstitutional interests of the Sangh Parivar. This is the first step towards implementing the saffron agenda of the Sangh Parivar in Keralam," the Alappuzha MP alleged.

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While recognizing Mathur's personal preference for a vegetarian diet, Venugopal argued that those habits should not govern the Lok Bhavan kitchen, which employs local staff, and called for the directive to be rescinded.

Clarification from Lok Bhavan

Sources within the Governor's office stated that Mathur is a strict vegetarian who requested that no meat or fish be prepared in the specific kitchen where his food is made.

They noted that meal preparation in that kitchen is limited to the Governor and select members of his immediate staff. Official staff members either bring their own meals or dine outside, with no dietary limitations placed on them. The sources added that earlier governors had permitted meat and fish preparation in the facility.

(With inputs from TOI)