Fish without garlic, onion is veg: UP minister's claim amid Ayodhya fish serving row

Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar on Monday sought to defend his cabinet colleague Sanjay Nishad over his claims on fish being vegetarian, saying fish could be considered non-vegetarian when cooked with onion and garlic.Rajbhar was responding to the controversy over the alleged serving of fish at a Congress event in Ayodhya during the holy month of Shravan.Asked about Nishad's remarks, Rajbhar said, "If he says so, he's right. Fish isn't non-vegetarian without garlic or onion, and we have to accept it," adding, "Congress should be asked whether it was cooked with garlic and onion or without it."However, in an interview with India Today TV, Rajbhar appeared less convinced by the argument. He added, "However, how can fish be vegetarian? Sanjay Nishad, being an expert on fish, has more knowledge, while we have less". Earlier this week, Nishad, the Nishad Party chief and a UP Cabinet minister, had reportedly claimed that "fish prepared without garlic and onion is vegetarian", adding that no ‘maharaj ji’ had objected to it.Rajbhar’s comments came amid a major political row over the alleged serving of fish at a Congress event in Ayodhya, which was attended by Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai. BJP state president Pankaj Choudhary criticised the Congress over the alleged incident, claiming that "insulting Sanatan Dharma has now become the Congress party’s identity"."Organising a ‘fish feast’ to welcome the UP Congress president in Ayodhya during the holy month of Shravan is highly condemnable and unforgivable. Congress has a history of undermining Hindu beliefs, cultural values and Sanatan faith," he alleged.However, when asked about the BJP’s acceptance of fish-eating culture in West Bengal, Rajbhar said dietary practices varied according to the circumstances and cultural traditions of different states."Look, different states have different situations. People are talking about Bengal, but Bengal has a different system. Maharashtra has its own system. What is acceptable during religious or cultural events in one state may not be the same in Uttar Pradesh," he said.Meanwhile, the Congress sought to play down the controversy, arguing that more pressing issues deserved attention. Congress leader Pawan Khera said that when people think of Ayodhya, they are reminded of the alleged theft of donations rather than fish-eating.- EndsPublished On: Aug 24, 2026 12:09 IST