First day, first row; Kerala Governor’s office clarifies vegetarian kitchen diktat amid Sangh jibe

Thiruvananthapuram: Om Prakash Mathur assumed office as the 29th Governor of Kerala on Friday, stepping straight into a political storm over reports that the Lok Bhavan kitchen had been directed to go strictly vegetarian. The move drew swift condemnation from both the ruling Congress and the opposition CPM. In response, sources within the Governor’s office stepped forward to clarify what the dietary directive actually entails.

What the Governor's office maintains

Officials at Lok Bhavan clarified that the instruction is confined strictly to the Governor’s own meals and does not restrict staff members. Sources in the Governor’s office explained that Mathur is a strict vegetarian and requested the kitchen change solely for that personal reason.

The Lok Bhavan kitchen prepares food only for the Governor and a few members of his personal team. General employees at Lok Bhavan either bring food from home or eat outside, and officials underlined that no restrictions have been placed on their food choices. While acknowledging that fish and meat dishes were routinely prepared during the tenure of some previous governors, sources maintained that the kitchen serving the Governor's personal table was simply adjusted to match his dietary practices.

Political backlash over food rights

The clarification came after political leaders sharply criticised the reported directive shortly after Mathur took charge. AICC general secretary and Alappuzha MP K C Venugopal alleged that the Governor had overstepped his constitutional authority by imposing personal choices on a kitchen staffed by Keralites. Highlighting Kerala’s coastal geography and varied food culture, he stressed that citizens must remain free to choose between vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets.

"Any attempt to restrict the food habits Keralites are accustomed to or dictate what they should eat from now on cannot be accepted," Venugopal said. He further alleged: "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".

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala also questioned the reported diktat, maintaining that language, dress, and diet are personal liberties. "Let us eat what we want to eat," Chennithala remarked.

CPM state secretary M V Govindan alleged that democratic freedoms were being curtailed, warning against turning everyday eating habits into a political weapon. "Attempts are being made to take away this right. Behind these efforts is the Sangh Parivar agenda of communal polarisation," Govindan said at a press conference.

The controversy broke out hours after Mathur was sworn in at Lok Bhavan on Friday morning by Kerala High Court Chief Justice Soumen Sen. Mathur succeeded Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who was transferred to take charge as Governor of Tamil Nadu.

New Governor takes charge amid history of Raj Bhavan-government disputes

Mathur’s appointment comes against the backdrop of recurring disagreements between Kerala’s elected governments and Raj Bhavan over constitutional and administrative matters.

Previous disputes have involved the appointment of university vice-chancellors, the withholding of Bills passed by the Assembly and questions over administrative protocol.

Arlekar’s tenure also saw political flashpoints, including disagreements over the playing of shortened versions of Vande Mataram, the display of a portrait of Bharat Mata and his reported decision to summon state officials without informing the Cabinet.

Arlekar received a warm farewell from the state government when he left for Tamil Nadu. His predecessor, Arif Mohammed Khan, had left Kerala without a state farewell in 2024 amid strained relations with the government.