Controversy Erupts Over Kerala Governors Vegetarian Directive

Kuldeep Singh Chundawat October 24, 2026, 7:59 pm 3 min read

Thiruvananthapuram, October 24: A political controversy has emerged following a decision by Kerala’s newly appointed Governor, Om Prakash Mathur. After taking the oath of office on October 23, Mathur instructed that only vegetarian meals be prepared in the Lok Bhavan (former Raj Bhavan) kitchen. This directive has drawn criticism from Congress General Secretary and MP K.C. Venugopal, who raised concerns about personal food choices.

Governor Takes Oath on October 23

Om Prakash Mathur, a senior BJP leader from Pali district in Rajasthan, was sworn in as Kerala’s 29th Governor on October 23. Prior to this, he served as the Governor of Sikkim.

Upon assuming office, he directed that only vegetarian meals be prepared in the official residence’s kitchen. Mathur, being a strict vegetarian himself, has instructed that meat and fish not be cooked in the kitchen that prepares his meals.

Ban on Meat and Fish in the Kitchen

According to media reports, the new Governor has mandated that no non-vegetarian food be prepared in the Lok Bhavan kitchen. Previously, during the tenure of former Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals were prepared in the Raj Bhavan kitchen.

Political reactions have surfaced regarding the changes made in the kitchen arrangements following Mathur’s appointment.

K.C. Venugopal Criticizes the Directive

K.C. Venugopal has criticized the Governor’s directive, asserting that food choices are a personal right. He emphasized that Kerala has a rich culinary culture that includes fish and other non-vegetarian dishes, making it inappropriate to impose one’s dietary preferences on others. Venugopal accused the decision of being an attempt to promote the ideology of the Sangh Parivar.

He stated that individuals should have the freedom to choose their food, and a person in a constitutional position should not interfere with others’ dietary freedoms.

Questions Raised by CPI(M) Leaders

Leaders from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) have also expressed objections to the Governor’s decision. CPI(M) leader John Brittas remarked that the people of Kerala respect the freedom of food, faith, and attire. He noted that while the Governor has the right to his food preferences, it is not appropriate to impose those preferences on others.

Clarification from Lok Bhavan

In light of the growing controversy, Lok Bhavan clarified that the directive for vegetarian meals pertains only to the kitchen responsible for preparing food for the Governor and his family. According to officials, staff members are not prohibited from consuming non-vegetarian food; they can bring meals from home or purchase their preferred food from outside. Officials emphasized that the changes in the kitchen were made according to the Governor’s personal dietary preferences and should not be interpreted as a ban on non-vegetarian food for all staff.

Political Journey from Rajasthan to Kerala Raj Bhavan

Om Prakash Mathur is a prominent political figure from Rajasthan. He was born in Bedal village of Bali tehsil in Pali district. He has a long-standing political career within the BJP.

Author Profile

Kuldeep Singh Chundawat: My name is Kuldeep Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.