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Can food ever truly be communal? Can we imagine that something as universal as chicken is reserved for one religion, while dal and roti are for another? Food, after all, is a matter of personal taste, of what pleases one’s palate. However, a recent controversy involving Vistara Airlines and their offering of “Hindu meals” and “Muslim meals” has stirred public debate and raised questions that weren’t on society’s radar before.
The issue surfaced when a female journalist took to social media to highlight the categorization of meals by religion. Although the airline didn’t immediately respond, experts on social media quickly jumped in, calling the concerns unfounded. According to the airline’s internal system, the code for a “Hindu meal” (HNML) doesn’t necessarily indicate vegetarian food, but can also include non-halal meat options. Meanwhile, a “Muslim meal” (MOML) follows halal standards but isn’t necessarily non-vegetarian.
Yet, amid all this discussion, a pressing question arises: Why is this system so outdated and unnecessarily complicated? Wouldn’t it be simpler to categorize food by “veg” and “non-veg”? Such an approach would be more straightforward, avoiding any confusion, and most importantly, prevent the communalization of food choices.
Dividing meals into vegetarian and non-vegetarian categories would neither offend anyone’s religious beliefs nor provoke unnecessary questions from uninformed sources. This would also prevent international companies from becoming embroiled in controversies that could harm their reputation. As a secular country where diversity in language, religion, and culture is celebrated, India doesn’t need the additional layers of religious-based food classifications that could fuel communal polarization.
To my knowledge, no international airline is obligated to categorize meals by religious codes. Globally, there is no valid reason for such distinctions, so why should we continue with this practice? The recent incident suggests that it’s time for the airlines, and the authorities overseeing them, to reconsider these outdated codes. By adopting a universally accepted system of “veg” and “non-veg,” we can ensure a more inclusive and neutral approach to something as essential and personal as food.
It’s important to note that these meal codes aren’t arbitrarily created by individual airlines. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) sets these food codes to maintain uniformity across global airline services. But while IATA may set standards, it’s up to airlines to manage and update these practices in line with changing societal norms. With around two dozen meal categories created for uniformity, the recent uproar suggests that now is the time for change. By adopting the simpler, universally understood classification of “veg” and “non-veg,” airlines can sidestep potential controversies, keeping food choices neutral and inclusive, as they should be.
