Om Prakash Mathur Sworn In as 29th Governor of Keralam; Vegetarian Food Directive Sparks Debate
Congress MP K. C. Venugopal criticised the reported vegetarian-only kitchen at Lok Bhavan, questioning whether Governor Om Prakash Mathur’s personal dietary preferences should influence official arrangements in Keralam.
Thiruvananthapuram: Om Prakash Mathur was sworn in as the 29th Governor of Keralam on Friday, October 23, in a ceremony at Lok Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram. Soumen Sen, Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, administered the oath of office. Mathur, formerly the Governor of Sikkim, takes over from Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who has moved to the governorship of Tamil Nadu.
His assumption of office has drawn attention not only because of the change in the state’s gubernatorial leadership but also because of a reported directive concerning food served at Lok Bhavan. Reports said that Mathur wanted only vegetarian food to be prepared in the official residence’s kitchen, setting off a political debate over personal dietary preferences, individual freedom and Keralam’s diverse food traditions.
Oath-Taking Ceremony in Thiruvananthapuram
The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan, Speaker Thiruvanchur Radhakrishnan, members of the state Cabinet and other political representatives.
The presidential order announcing Mathur’s appointment was read during the ceremony before he took the oath and officially began his tenure. He reached Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday, where the Chief Minister and other state officials welcomed him at the airport.
In his first remarks after arriving, he expressed happiness at beginning a new chapter in what he described as a land known for its natural beauty, traditions, love and harmony.
His appointment followed a reshuffle announced by the President on October 12.
Vegetarian-Only Kitchen Triggers Controversy
The reported food directive became a major talking point even before Mathur formally took charge. According to media reports, instructions were issued for the Lok Bhavan kitchen to prepare vegetarian food only, with meat and fish excluded from its menu. Special cooks from Rajasthan were also reportedly brought in to prepare food suited to the Governor’s preferences.
Reports also indicated that the arrangement would apply to food prepared in the official kitchen for the Governor and certain staff members, as well as meals served to guests. However, a report citing Lok Bhavan sources said employees would not be prevented from bringing food from home or eating outside.
The reported restriction therefore concerns the kitchen’s food arrangements, rather than a general prohibition on non-vegetarian food consumption by all employees.
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K. C. Venugopal Criticises the Reported Directive
Congress leader and MP K. C. Venugopal criticised the reported decision, arguing that it did not adequately recognise Keralam’s food traditions and social diversity. He pointed out that both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets are part of everyday life in the State and highlighted the longstanding importance of fish in its coastal food culture.
Venugopal said Mathur was free to follow a vegetarian diet but questioned whether that preference should determine the functioning of the Lok Bhavan kitchen. He called the reported decision an intrusion into personal liberty and claimed it could be part of a wider ideological effort to shape people’s food habits and way of life.
The Congress leader also linked the controversy to constitutional freedoms and argued that a person holding a constitutional office should respect the diversity of the people they serve.
Who Is Om Prakash Mathur?
Born on January 2, 1952, in Bedal village in Rajasthan’s Pali district, Mathur graduated from Rajasthan University before entering public life. He began his association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a pracharak in 1972 and subsequently took on organisational responsibilities within the broader Sangh network and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Mathur rose through the BJP’s organisational ranks and served as general secretary of the party’s Rajasthan unit. He later held senior responsibilities at the national level, including serving as the party’s general secretary and overseeing its activities in several states. He was also BJP Rajasthan president and served two terms as a Rajya Sabha member representing the State, from 2008 to 2014 and from 2016 to 2022.
A New Tenure Begins Amid Debate
Mathur’s first day as Governor has placed two aspects of his appointment in focus: the formal transition of constitutional office and the debate over the reported vegetarian-only kitchen at Lok Bhavan. While the swearing-in marks the beginning of his tenure, the food directive has prompted political criticism about personal choice, cultural practices and the functioning of public institutions.
The issue is particularly sensitive in Keralam, where food habits vary across communities and regions, and fish and other non-vegetarian dishes are widely associated with local culinary traditions. Whether the reported arrangement remains an internal kitchen policy or continues to attract wider political attention will depend on how the administration addresses the concerns raised.