National Museum bars non-vegetarian dishes 

The National Museum has dropped non-vegetarian dishes from the menu at Historical Gastronomica, a weeklong exhibition-cum-event on culinary history that offers “the Indus dining experience” through an “ethno-archaeological kitchen of the Harappan culture” on the museum lawn from February 19 to 25, a report in The Indian Express stated.

As per The Indian Express report, the event is jointly organised by the National Museum, the Ministry of Culture and One Station Million Stories (OSMS), a private firm.

Previously the museum website showcased the event’s menu with vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, along with an invitation for online booking. This information was also shared on social media by the government.

The museum citing unspecific rules told OSMS to not serve non-vegetarian dishes.

Additional director general Subrata Nath reportedly denied knowledge of any “external interference” in the matter.

The Indian Express quoted Subrata Nath as saying, “Actually, there is no rule as such. But we have to respect the museum’s tradition. So, we emailed the private organisers yesterday.”

On other museums, such as IGNCA, NMML and crafts museum not having any such restriction Nath responded, “I won’t comment on what others do. This museum has so many idols of gods and goddesses, and a relic of Lord Buddha. International dignitaries visit this museum. We have to consider these sensitivities here.”

“Their Harappan menu is very well researched but they should not have opted for the non-veg dishes. In any case, we had a discussion and were able to avoid just in time what could have become an embarrassment,” he added.

Bookings for the non-vegetarian menu and dinners have been stopped by OSMS.

According to OSMS’s promotional material, curating the Harappan menu involved research in identifying ingredients and general dietary patterns, and “connecting the dots — from material found in the Indus-Saraswati Valley and it’s inland and foreign trade network with Mesopotamia and Egypt and later traditions.”