Kerala Governor's Food Row: Lok Bhavan Denies Staff Restrictions

Thiruvananthapuram, October 24: Kerala Lok Bhavan has issued a clarification denying reports that Governor Om Prakash Mathur had placed a ban on non-vegetarian food at his official residence. It said the prohibition applied only to the kitchen serving the Governor, which is completely vegetarian.

Lok Bhavan officials made it clear that employees and other people are not subject to any food restrictions. They can bring and eat whatever food they prefer.

The clarification follows a political debate triggered by reports that Mathur had directed that non-vegetarian food not be cooked or served at the Governor's residence.

The ruling Congress and the opposition CPI(M) both sharply condemned the reports. Leaders of the two parties accused the Governor of enforcing the Sangh Parivar's agenda.

KC Venugopal, AICC general secretary, said the decision had gone well beyond acceptable limits. He contended that a Governor cannot impose personal food choices on anyone.

According to Venugopal, Kerala has a rich and varied food culture, and people are entitled to eat as they wish. He stated that efforts to restrict the traditional dietary habits of Malayalis infringe upon constitutional rights.

He added that a person holding a constitutional post has no right to force dietary preferences on others. Venugopal also charged that the step was a part of the Sangh Parivar's communal agenda and an attack on personal liberty.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala also faulted attempts to direct people's food choices. He asserted that the freedom to decide what to eat, what to wear and which language to speak is an essential part of personal freedom.

CPI(M) State Secretary MV Govindan had accused the Sangh Parivar of trying to turn food into a communal issue. He said that in a democratic nation, everyone has the right to choose their own eating habits.

The controversy began soon after Mathur took oath as Kerala's 29th Governor.