Latest news with #MuttonRoganJosh
Mint
5 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Bihar Election 2025, a battle of fish fry, mutton rogan josh and biryani?
Bihar Election 2025: These days, 'Fish fry', 'mutton rogan josh', and 'biryani' are more talked about in Bihar than the state's own speciality 'litti chokha', for all political reasons. The controversy over "mutton rogan josh" being served at a meeting of NDA leaders in Bihar, Patna, is the latest showdown in which culinary preferences have triggered political debates. For RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, "mutton rogan josh" is not just a non-veg delicacy but a jibe and revenge against those who accused him of being "seasonal sanatani" for eating fish fry, apparently during Navratri. New entrant Prashant Kishor's biryani also makes a mention on the menu of controversies. Here's how food choices are giving Bihar politicians a taste of politics. Last year, just ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Tejashwi Yadav was embroiled in controversy over a video showing him grabbing a bite of fish fry in between election campaigns. "Kuch logon ko bahut mirchi lagega," Tejashwi's ally Mukesh Sahani said as he enjoyed the meal alongside the former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar. While many, including several BJP leaders, slammed Tejashwi for eating a non-vegetarian meal during Navratri, the RJD leader claimed that the footage was shot before Navratri festival -- when the Hindu community observe austerities. Top BJP leaders Rajnath Singh and Giriraj Singh had accused Tejashwi of "appeasement politics." Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also said the INDIA bloc leaders were inspired by a 'Mughal' mindset and they enjoy hurting the sentiments of the people. But Tejashwi claimed that he deliberately posted the video late to check the 'IQ' of BJP leaders, who have 'no knowledge and never talked about real issues..." He launched another video of himself enjoying oranges in a helicopter. He took the potshots at the BJP and questioned if anyone would be offended by the color orange. The latest dish on Bihar's political controversy menu is Mutton Rogan Josh. Tejashwi Yadav, who has repeatedly drawn flak from the ruling NDA for consuming non-vegetarian food during Navratra and Saawan, hit back at NDA leaders for savouring mutton in the holy month of Saawan -- that too on a Monday. Saawan Mondays, also known as Saawan Somwars, are the Mondays that fall during the Hindu month of Saawan (also known as Shravan). This month is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and observing fasts and performing puja on these Mondays is considered highly auspicious. Yadav posted an undated video on X, showing a container with a label "mutton rogan josh" written on it. The Times of India reported that the video was shot in the central hall of the Bihar Assembly on Monday. Yadav wrote, "With the boundless blessings and grace of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, BJP ministers and MLAs are relishing mutton 🥩 on the Mondays of Saawan." "We have no objection to anyone's food choice, but the PM should not be 'selective' in his attacks. While he finds it pleasing that his party leaders eat mutton during Shravan, he doesn't hesitate to attack opposition leaders even though they avoid non-vegetarian foods," Tejashwi posted on social media. "Maybe the caterer also arranged for the mutton dish along with vegetarian food, but did Tejashwi only watch who ate the mutton?" state BJP spokesperson Manoj Sharma was quoted by TOI as saying on Tuesday. Last week, Union minister Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh triggered a similar controversy when he hosted a mutton party for his supporters in Lakhisarai In a video that went viral, Lalan — a former national president of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) - is heard saying that he arranged both "vegetarian and non-vegetarian" foods. Speaking to PTI Video, Tejashwi took a dig at Singh, saying, 'We have been called anti-Sanatan by them. I hope Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Motihari tomorrow, will be full of appreciation for Lalan.' Recently, reports claimed that Jan Suraaj leader Prashant Kishor's rally in Kishanganj, Bihar, saw a sudden rush of people after news spread that biryani was being brought for those who attended the gathering. Zee News reported on the incident, claiming that as Kishor spoke at the rally, the audience was sparse, but once the food distribution began, the crowd swelled, leading to chaos and a "mad scramble" for the biryani. A viral video, that captured the chaos, reportedly showed how some people stood on the wall to get biryani. Many people were seen jumping over the wall and bringing biryani from the other side, NDTV reported. Mint could not verify the authenticity of the video. We have been called anti-Sanatan by them. I hope Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Motihari tomorrow, will be full of appreciation for Lalan. Local organisers reportedly claimed that provisions were made for around 5,000 people, but the situation, eventually, spiralled out of control. The incident left many wondering if Jan Suraaj's message of change can resonate with voters beyond the lure of free food, the report added.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Mutton, masala & politics: Tejashwi Yadav slams BJP over mutton served during Shravan Somvar
In Bihar, food remains more than just what it seems—it's political fuel. Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav kicked up a storm on Monday, accusing BJP legislators of hypocrisy for allegedly enjoying non-vegetarian fare on the holy Shravan Somwar, according to a TOI report. As Bihar's monsoon session got underway, a viral video showing 'Mutton Rogan Josh' being served in the central hall of the assembly took social media by storm. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search Ads Get Info Undo Sharing the clip online, Tejashwi said, 'BJP MLAs relished mutton on Shravan Somwari. We have no objection to food choices, but why is the PM selective in his criticism? His party leaders eat mutton during Shravan, while opposition leaders get targeted for doing less.' He stressed that while religious customs are personal, political attacks based on food habits must be applied consistently, not selectively. Live Events BJP brushes off claims, says Tejashwi should focus on elections Responding swiftly, BJP spokesperson Manoj Sharma dismissed the row as a diversion. 'Tejashwi should be preparing for polls, not obsessing over what's on someone's plate,' he said, adding that the mutton dish may have been part of a broader menu arranged by caterers, with vegetarian options likely included. Sharma questioned whether Tejashwi was there to debate policy or to audit plates. 'What's next? CCTV footage to check who took a mutton serving?' he quipped. When food becomes political fodder in Bihar This isn't the first time Bihar's politics has collided with the dinner table. Last week, Union Minister Lalan Singh drew criticism for hosting a mutton party in Lakhisarai during Shravan, prompting another attack from Tejashwi. Earlier, Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor came under fire after distributing biryani at a rally—though his team claimed it was vegetarian. Even RJD patriarch Lalu Prasad sparked a row last year when he cooked mutton for Rahul Gandhi during Shravan. Tejashwi himself hasn't been immune. During the Lok Sabha campaign, he and ally Mukesh Sahani were seen eating fish mid-air in a chopper during Navratri. The BJP called it disrespectful to Sanatan traditions, prompting Tejashwi to clarify the timing.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bihar's election platter turns spicy with mutton parties in Shravan
Patna: Holy Shrawan month is on, and temples are abuzz with Shiva devotees fasting. Vegetarianism is in vogue. But in poll-bound Bihar, guess what's stealing the spotlight? Mutton curries! Mutton Rogan Josh — that rich, aromatic Kashmiri delight made a surprise appearance in the central hall of the state assembly on Monday, the second Somwari. The occasion? First day of the monsoon session before the state goes to polls. The serving was enough to stir a political potboiler. Leader of opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav wasted no time. He accused the NDA leader of adopting a "double standard" over meat consumption. "BJP MLAs relished mutton on Shravan Somwari (Monday). We have no objection to anyone's food choice, but the PM should not be 'selective' in his attacks. While he finds it pleasing that his party leaders eat mutton during Shravan, he doesn't hesitate to attack opposition leaders even though they avoid non-vegetarian foods," Tejashwi posted on social media. He also uploaded a video of the stall with "Mutton Rogan Josh" to highlight his point. The video has gone viral on social media. The BJP reacted by saying that Tejashwi, being the leader of the opposition, should focus on the election looming large rather than watching who is eating what. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy the Dip: Top 5 Dividend Stocks with Growth Potential Seeking Alpha Read More Undo "Maybe the caterer also arranged for the mutton dish along with vegetarian food, but did Tejashwi only watch who ate the mutton?" state BJP spokesperson Manoj Sharma said on Tuesday. Mocking Tejashwi, Sharma said whether the leader of opposition should scan the CCTV images to find out who consumed what or focus on Bihar's development. This isn't the first time mutton has made an entry in Shravan when majority Hindus turn vegetarian. Last week, Union minister Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh triggered a similar row when he hosted a mutton party for his supporters in Lakhisarai, which is a part of his Munger Lok Sabha constituency. In a video that went viral, Lalan is heard saying that he arranged both "vegetarian and non-vegetarian" foods. Tejashwi again took a dig at Singh for hosting a mutton party during Shravan. Earlier this month, Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor arranged "biryani" for all those who came to hear his speech in Kishanganj district. TV footage released later showed people crowding the food stalls and scrambling to get the food packets. But the party claims it was "vegetarian biryani" and not mutton. Mutton had been the menu for controversy earlier also when RJD chief Lalu Prasad cooked a special mutton dish for Congress MP Rahul Gandhi at his daughter's residence in Delhi during Shrawan in 2023. The video of Lalu cooking mutton in a desi style and stirring in a pot went viral at that time, drawing sharp reactions from the NDA. Later, Tejashwi and his ally, Muhesh Sahani, drew bitter criticisms from the NDA leader after both were caught on camera relishing fish during a chopper ride as part of the poll campaign during the LS elections. The NDA leaders targeted the duo, describing their acts as an "insult to sanatan" for relishing during "Navaratra". Later, Tejashwi clarified that they had eaten the non-vegetarian dish before the start of Navarata.
