New Kerala Governor's Vegetarian Kitchen Order Stirs Political Row

The Food Directive

BJP veteran Om Prakash Mathur is the new Kerala Governor, succeeding Rajendra Arlekar, who moves to Tamil Nadu. Mathur has ordered that only vegetarian food be cooked in the Lok Bhavan kitchen to match his personal dietary habits.

Congress Reaction

AICC general secretary K C Venugopal strongly criticized the move. He stated that Kerala has a diverse food culture where people enjoy freedom in their diet, and argued that the restriction violates fundamental constitutional rights. Venugopal also claimed the order pushes an unconstitutional agenda of the Sangh Parivar, adding that the Governor can follow his own diet without restricting the official kitchen.

Lok Bhavan Response

Lok Bhavan sources dismissed the controversy as a non-issue. Officials stated that the kitchen only cooks for the Governor, while staff bring food from home or eat outside. Sources also noted that governors have every right to decide their kitchen menu and can even bring their own cooks, pointing out that former governor Arlekar previously brought a cook from Goa.

Context

Kerala has a long history of political sensitivity regarding food habits, particularly centered around beef and dietary choices. Such disputes often highlight the cultural friction between national political agendas and regional traditions in the state.