Nagpur: Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has come out strongly in defence of Vidarbha’s much-loved Saoji cuisine, warning government officials against making sweeping remarks that could hurt an industry built over generations and supporting thousands of families.
Bawankule’s remarks came after Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe reportedly made a strong comment about Saoji mutton at a programme in Amravati. Mundhe was quoted as saying that if he ate Saoji mutton, he would fall ill for a month and require hospitalisation.
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The comment has reportedly angered Saoji restaurant owners, prompting Bawankule to stress that any action against food establishments must be based on specific violations and should not be used to discredit the entire Saoji industry.
“Saoji is the pride of Vidarbha. It is the livelihood of thousands of families,” Bawankule said while speaking to the media. He cautioned officials against making statements that could create an impression that Saoji restaurants would be shut down or that the entire industry would be held responsible for isolated violations.
‘Act against violators, not an entire industry’
Bawankule made it clear that food safety violations should not be overlooked and that strict legal action must be taken wherever adulteration or risks to public health are detected.
However, he argued that such action should be directed at individual establishments violating prescribed norms rather than being generalised to the entire Saoji sector.
“It is wrong to target the entire Saoji business because of isolated instances,” he said.
Describing Saoji as far more than simply a restaurant business, Bawankule said the cuisine has evolved into a home-grown industry supporting thousands of families across the region.
Defending the culinary tradition, Bawankule said Saoji represents a distinctive style of cooking deeply rooted in Vidarbha’s culture.
“It is a unique and traditional style of preparing spices and food,” he said, adding that visitors to Vidarbha routinely seek out Saoji cuisine because of its distinctive flavour and popularity.
He also pointed out that the special blend of Saoji spices has gained recognition beyond the region, with Saoji dishes now finding demand in several countries.
Bawankule urged officials to exercise caution while commenting on traditional food businesses, saying irresponsible remarks could damage the reputation of establishments and create unnecessary fear among consumers.
At the same time, he maintained that the administration must remain firm against establishments that genuinely violate food safety regulations.
The minister’s intervention has brought the focus back to the delicate balance between strict food-safety enforcement and protecting a culinary tradition that has become an important part of Vidarbha’s identity and local economy.
