In a move that has sparked debate, the Supreme Court canteen has decided to serve only Navratra-special food during the ongoing Navratra festival. This unprecedented change has raised concerns among some members of the legal fraternity, who have expressed their discomfort with the restricted menu, which excludes non-vegetarian food and items containing onion or garlic.
In a letter addressed to the President of the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) on October 3, 2024, lawyers raised concerns about the canteen’s decision. The letter acknowledges the long-standing tradition of lawyers observing Navratra by bringing their own food from home, without imposing any restrictions on others. However, this year marks a deviation from this tradition, as the canteen has decided to serve only Navratra food for the duration of the festival.
The lawyers emphasized that while they do not oppose the provision of Navratra food for those observing the festival, they feel that limiting the menu to only Navratra-special items is unfair to those who do not follow the practice. The letter asserts, “The Supreme Court canteen caters to all. We are all dependent on it. Non-serving of non-vegetarian or food with onion-garlic to cater to the wishes of a few is not in keeping with our pluralist traditions and would result in lack of respect for each other.”
The lawyers have urged SCAORA to request the canteen to restore its regular menu alongside the Navratra food. They argue that such a restriction sets a “wrong precedent for the future,” and that accommodating the dietary preferences of a few should not come at the cost of imposing restrictions on others.
The letter also concerns that allowing this menu change could lead to further impositions in the future, potentially infringing on the diversity and pluralism that the Supreme Court canteen has long upheld.
In conclusion, the letter calls for the canteen to provide its normal menu along with the Navratra food, ensuring that the dietary preferences of all individuals are respected.
