A group of Supreme Court lawyers has raised objections over the Supreme Court canteen’s decision to limit its menu to only Navratri-specific food during the nine-day festival. The Navratri menu excludes meat, onion, garlic, pulses, and grains, catering to those observing traditional fasting practices.
In response, the advocates have written to the presidents of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA), urging them to reverse this decision, which they describe as unprecedented and potentially problematic for the future.
“Lawyers in the Supreme Court have always observed the Navratri festival peacefully by bringing their special food from home for the nine days without any issues. This is the first time the Supreme Court canteen has decided to serve only Navratri food. This is not only unprecedented, but it also sets a concerning precedent for the future,” the letter reads.
While expressing respect for colleagues observing Navratri, the lawyers argue that such restrictions should not be imposed on others who rely on the canteen for their daily meals. They emphasize that the move contradicts India’s pluralistic traditions and warn that allowing such limitations could lead to further impositions in the future.
“Not serving non-vegetarian food or items with onion and garlic to accommodate the wishes of a few is not in line with our pluralistic values and could erode mutual respect. If this is allowed, it may open the door to other similar restrictions in the future,” the letter states.
The lawyers have called on the SCBA and SCAORA to intervene, requesting that the canteen restore its regular menu while continuing to offer Navratri food as an option for those observing the festival.
