Vande Bharat Sleeper Coach to Introduce Non-Vegetarian Options Following Political Controversy
In response to a growing political controversy surrounding the food service on India's premium trains, the Howrah-Kamakhya Vande Bharat sleeper coach will soon introduce non-vegetarian meal options. The development comes after significant public and political pressure regarding the initial vegetarian-only menu that sparked debates about cultural food preferences in Eastern India.
Political Intervention Leads to Menu Revision
Junior Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar took direct action on Sunday by contacting Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw regarding the contentious food service issue. The conversation focused on addressing concerns raised by various political groups about the absence of non-vegetarian choices on the newly launched sleeper coach service.
"I spoke with railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw," Majumdar explained. "I informed him that Trinamool is creating a political narrative while claiming that only vegetarian food is being served on the Vande Bharat sleeper. They alleged that there is no non-vegetarian option."
The minister further clarified that "the railway minister told me that they started the service with vegetarian meals initially. Non-vegetarian options will also be available soon. The people in Assam and Bengal are primarily non-vegetarian and their choice of food will be kept in mind."
Railway Official Confirms Timeline for Change
An Eastern Railway official speaking to PTI provided concrete details about the impending menu expansion. "Non-vegetarian food options are likely to be available on the menu of the Vande Bharat sleeper within about 1 week," the official confirmed, indicating a swift response to the controversy.
Majumdar emphasized the gradual implementation approach, stating: "Services need to be introduced gradually and not at once." While he didn't specify exact dates for the non-vegetarian meal availability, the commitment to include these options represents a significant policy adjustment.
Background of the Controversy
The controversy erupted shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Howrah-Kamakhya Vande Bharat service on January 17. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) quickly raised objections to what they perceived as dietary imposition, criticizing what they called "policing our plates" by the ruling party.
Trinamool's statement captured the escalating tension: "First, they policed our votes. Now, they're policing our plates. Today, it's what we eat. Tomorrow, it's what we wear, whom we love, how we live. What we're witnessing is the 'Banchte Chai, BJP Tai' model, where Bengalis are pushed into submission by Bangla-birodhi zamindars imposing monolithic, homogenised identities on our plural ethos."
While opposition parties in Bengal intensified their criticism of what they viewed as government overreach into personal food choices, the Bengal BJP maintained distance from the controversy. State BJP representatives consistently noted that menu decisions fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Railways rather than political parties.
Minister Denies Exclusionary Intent
Majumdar strongly refuted allegations that railways deliberately excluded non-vegetarian options, condemning what he called false narratives. "The railways had no plan to exclude non-vegetarian meals on the Vande Bharat sleeper," he asserted. "For now, the menu was set with only vegetarian options, but non-vegetarian meals will be added soon."
This clarification aims to address concerns that the initial vegetarian-only menu represented a broader cultural imposition rather than practical operational considerations during the service launch phase.
Regional Food Habits Take Center Stage
The controversy highlights the significant cultural importance of food preferences in Eastern India, particularly in Bengal and Assam where non-vegetarian diets predominate. The political discourse surrounding the Vande Bharat menu has evolved into a broader discussion about regional identity, cultural autonomy, and service personalization in national transportation infrastructure.
The railway's responsiveness to these concerns demonstrates the ongoing balancing act between standardized national services and region-specific adaptations that respect local customs and preferences.
