A significant controversy has emerged in the Supreme Court as a group of lawyers protested the resumption of non-vegetarian food service at the Supreme Court canteen during the Navratri festival, a nine-day Hindu celebration dedicated to Goddess Durga.

In a letter addressed to the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA), senior advocate Rajat Nair raised concerns about the decision to allow non-vegetarian food service during Navratri, claiming it was made without consideration for the sentiments of other bar members. He argued that this move was inconsistent with the bar's "pluralist traditions" and demonstrated a lack of respect and tolerance among members.

Nair's letter has garnered support from at least 133 lawyers practicing at the Supreme Court. Their opposition surfaced shortly after another group of lawyers protested the ban on non-vegetarian food, which had been implemented during Navratri.

On October 1, the Supreme Court's canteen resumed serving non-vegetarian food following protests against the temporary ban. In a letter sent to Kapil Sibal, the SCBA president, the protesting lawyers criticized the decision to only serve vegetarian food during the festival as "unprecedented" and likely to set a concerning precedent for the future.

"This year marks the first time the Supreme Court canteen announced it would exclusively serve Navratra food, which we believe is not only unprecedented but will also create a troubling precedent," the letter stated.

As a result of the protests from this faction of lawyers, the Supreme Court canteen has reinstated its non-vegetarian food offerings.