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‘First votes, now food’: TMC slams Centre over veg-only menu on Vande Bharat sleeper train

Flagged off on January 17, the Howrah-Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper train commenced its commercial operation from Kamakhya today.

3 min readJan 22, 2026 07:38 PM IST

The party said that Bengal will not take lessons on identity from those who neither understand it nor respect it. (Image: AITMC/X)

Vande Bharat Sleeper food menu row: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday slammed the BJP-led central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the introduction of a vegetarian-only food menu on the newly-launched Vande Bharat Sleeper train. Flagged off on January 17, the Howrah-Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper train commenced its commercial operation from Kamakhya today.

Sharing a post on X (formerly Twitter), the ruling party in West Bengal said the Vande Bharat Sleeper train connecting Bengal and Assam regions where non-vegetarian food is widely consumed, has been offered only vegetarian options.

According to the menu released by the IRCTC, non-veg options including fish and meat are not available for travellers.

Also Read | Basanti Pulao, Dhokar Dalna, Narikol Burfi & more: Full IRCTC food menu on India’s 1st Vande Bharat Sleeper train

The party further alleged that the move reflects a “natural extension of a mindset” in which the Prime Minister derides fish-eating Bengalis as “Mughals” and diktats are issued banning fish in Delhi.

It added that Bengalis are being pushed into submission by Bangla-birodhi “zamindars” who are imposing monolithic, homogenised identities on the community’s plural ethos. “Today it’s what we eat. Tomorrow it’s what we wear. Who we love. How we live. What we’re witnessing is the “Banchte Chai, BJP Tai” model, where Bengalis are pushed into submission by Bangla-Birodhi Zamindars imposing monolithic, homogenised identities on our plural ethos,” the party posted.

The party said that Bengal will not take lessons on identity from those who neither understand it nor respect it.

First they policed our votes. Now they’re policing our plates.

Just days ago, @narendramodi was busy boasting about giving Bengal a new Vande Bharat sleeper train. What he didn’t mention however is that on the Vande Bharat train running from Bengal to Assam, fish and meat have… pic.twitter.com/46z8zRs39O

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) January 22, 2026

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The assembly elections are set to take place later this year and both the parties are engaged in a fierce contest to win the crucial elections in the state.

Anish Mondal

Anish Mondal is a journalist with over nine years of experience covering the railways and roadways. Currently a member of the Indianexpress.com editorial team, Anish specializes in high-impact sectors. Professional Journey Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he developed a foundational understanding of legislative processes and national governance. In 2018, he transitioned to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, spending nearly six years refining his expertise in market trends and corporate reporting. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he served as a key contributor at ETNowNews.com. Education & Expertise Anish’s reporting is backed by a rigorous academic background in communication and the humanities: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta Areas of Coverage Connectivity: Detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway networks. ... Read More

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