Rumours of khichdi as India’s national food set social media ablaze

Indian social media was buzzing on Thursday and Friday, after rumours began circulating that “khichdi” would be declared the National Dish of the country. Reactions to the alleged announcement were varied. Many took to social media to express their love for the rice and lentil dish, which is believed to be helpful in times of illness.

Yummy Sabudana #Khichdi tonight. pic.twitter.com/QdJVjSyiQT

— Rishi Bagree ?? (@rishibagree) November 1, 2017

Welcome And Best Decision In BJP Government Make New intention to #Khichdi As India National Food. #एक_क़दम_शाखाहारी_की_ओर pic.twitter.com/9i0uul1XL4

— Dr. Shefalii Hindu (@imShraddhaK) November 2, 2017

Others, however, felt that there were more worthy dishes in Indian cuisine that deserved the honour of national dish, with suggestions including puttu and parota with beef.

#khichdi we want porotta beef as national food :) pic.twitter.com/AGJJvDMtyp

— Freak Guru (@Vin1nair) November 1, 2017

I hated Pongal (your #khichdi), which was a regular menu in our college hostel. My vote is for 'Puttu', anyday! pic.twitter.com/6YvhWtuiab

— ചാത്തൂട്ടി (@chathootti) November 1, 2017

Others still objected to the need for a National Dish at all and took the opportunity to make some political commentary.

Lo ji Karlo aish #Khichdi to be declared national food. Who knows people may be asked to stand up while eating khichdi pic.twitter.com/SoXtFaSin3

— Zubair Yousuf (@zubaironline) November 1, 2017

If #Khichdi to be designated as national food, then Indians should also declare the one who okayed this proposal as national dolt

— Debarati Majumder (@debarati_m) November 1, 2017

Which is more important? 1. Making sure all Indians are getting food? OR 2. Announcing Khichdi as our National Food?#Khichdi pic.twitter.com/mPR9L3ko20

— Rijoy (@iamrijoy) November 1, 2017

However, the discussion appears to have been moot, as India Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal clarified that khichdi was not to be declared national dish but rather just a record entry at the World Food India event.

Enough Khichdi cooked up on a fictitious 'National Dish’. It has only been put for a record entry in #WorldFoodIndia.

— Harsimrat Kaur Badal (@HarsimratBadal_) November 1, 2017

According to NDTV, Chef Sanjeev Kapoor will attempt to set a World Record by cooking 800 kilograms of Khichdi at the India Gate Lawns on November 4, 2017. The record attempt will be a part of the three-day-long World Food India programme organised by the Indian Ministry of Food Processing Industries.