Culinary Clash: Legal Battle Over Butter Chicken's Origins Heats Up in India
In a sizzling legal battle that has captivated the nation, two iconic Indian restaurant chains, Moti Mahal and Daryaganj, are entangled in a dispute over the origins of butter chicken and dal makhani, two beloved dishes with global appeal.
Moti Mahal, a renowned Delhi restaurant chain with a history dating back to the 1950s, claims that its founder, Kundan Lal Gujral, invented the dishes in the 1930s, first in Peshawar and later in Delhi. The Gujral family has lodged a 2,752-page court filing, seeking $240,000 in damages from Daryaganj, a 2019-established chain. They accuse Daryaganj of falsely claiming ownership of the dishes and mimicking Moti Mahal’s website layout and restaurant ambiance.
Daryaganj contends that its late family member, Kundan Lal Jaggi, partnered with Gujral in 1947 to open the Delhi restaurant, therefore giving him the right to also claim the invention of the dishes. The courtroom drama has unfolded with Daryaganj sharing a faded, hand-written partnership document from 1949 to support its argument.
The culinary clash has sparked a nationwide debate, with Indian TV broadcasters airing segments on the history of the dishes, and social media is ablaze with opinions. Ameet Datta, an intellectual property lawyer, notes the uniqueness of the case, emphasising the challenge of determining the true creator of butter chicken. The next hearing is scheduled for May in the Delhi High Court.
In the realm of food, where recipes are treasured through generations, disputes over the origins of beloved dishes are not uncommon. The legal battle between Moti Mahal and Daryaganj highlights the significance of attribution and authenticity in the culinary world, where the stories behind dishes are as crucial as their flavours. The outcome of this dispute will not only shape the legacy of these iconic dishes but also set a precedent for similar battles in the ever-evolving landscape of global cuisine.
