Om Prakash Mathur, a former RSS pracharak, took the oath as the 29th Governor of Kerala on October 24, 2026. His appointment was met with a mix of anticipation and skepticism, given his background and the political climate in the state. Mathur, known for his strict vegetarianism, made an immediate impact on his first day.
On his very first day, Mathur issued a directive to the Raj Bhavan kitchen, mandating that only vegetarian food be prepared. This order, while seemingly innocuous, quickly escalated into a political controversy. Mathur's office clarified that the directive was personal and not intended to restrict the dietary choices of staff, but the political implications were clear.
The Congress party, the ruling party in Kerala, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), the main opposition party, were quick to condemn the move. Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal and CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan accused Mathur of attempting to impose a Sangh Parivar agenda on the state.
The Raj Bhavan sources, however, maintained that the Governor was a strict vegetarian and that the directive did not extend to the personal choices of staff.
K.C. Venugopal, a prominent Congress leader, expressed his concerns in a statement: 'Any attempt to restrict the food habits Keralites are accustomed to or dictate what they should eat from now on cannot be accepted.' His words resonated with many Keralites, who pride themselves on their diverse culinary traditions and personal freedom.
The controversy extended beyond the Raj Bhavan. The Raj Bhavan sources, however, maintained that the Governor was a strict vegetarian and that the directive did not extend to the personal choices of staff. This did little to quell the political backlash. KC Venugopal's statement was echoed by other opposition leaders, who saw the directive as an overreach and a violation of fundamental rights.
Mathur's first day in office has marked a new chapter in the political landscape of Kerala. The controversy has brought to the forefront the complex interplay between personal freedom, cultural identity, and the role of the state in dictating norms. The incident has also highlighted the growing tensions between the ruling Congress party and the opposition, as well as the broader ideological divide within the state.
As the debate continues, the future of Kerala's governance hangs in the balance. The incident has underscored the importance of respecting diverse cultural practices and personal freedoms, while also raising questions about the limits of state power. For now, the state remains divided, with Mathur's directive serving as a reminder of the ongoing struggle between tradition and modernity in Kerala.