A group of Supreme Court lawyers has formally protested the decision to resume serving non-vegetarian food in one of the court canteens during the Navratri festival. Their concerns, addressed in a letter to the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA), point to a perceived disregard for the religious sentiments of those observing the nine-day festival, which traditionally involves abstaining from certain foods.
Led by advocate Rajat Nair, the group claims that the rollback of a Navratri-specific menu, which temporarily restricted offerings to vegetarian items, was executed without broader consultation, displaying what they see as a lack of respect for the diverse traditions within the legal community. According to the letter, the decision to reinstate non-vegetarian dishes, as well as items containing onion and garlic, was taken by SCBA office bearers on Friday.
Nair’s letter, supported by 133 practicing lawyers, emphasized that this action undermined the pluralist values of the Bar and caused unnecessary friction. The original decision to serve only Navratri-compliant meals was intended for the two days the court remained in session during the festival, which, Nair argued, would have caused no significant inconvenience as other canteens continued to serve regular meals.
Although the court is now closed for vacation, the issue has sparked a broader discussion on the balance between religious practices and institutional policies. Nair urged that such unilateral actions be avoided in the future, ensuring a more inclusive approach to accommodate the diverse customs of the legal fraternity.
