By Arré Bench Oct. 09, 2020
“Idli are the most boring things in the world,” tweeted Edward Anderson, a UK professor of history and expert in India-Britain studies. All hell broke loose. Anderson was schooled by angry Indians on Twitter over his blasphemous opinion – even Shashi Tharoor got involved.
India is a land of many cultures and traditions. Our distinct cuisines and tastes are a testimony to our diversity. It wouldn’t be too far-fetched to say that besides our families, food is the other half that defines our identity and personality. Nothing binds Indians quite like their love for food, not even cricket. But for a country that thrives on its lip-smacking recipes and spices, any unnecessary “hot take” on our personality food isn’t welcome here. And taking on “Idligate” the past week was Desi Twitter’s reminder of the same.
Lockdown beloved Zomato asked a simple question on Twitter: “What’s that one dish you could never understand why people like soo much?” Pretty harmless, right?
what's that one dish you could never understand why people like soo much
— zomato india (@ZomatoIN) October 4, 2020
Well, wrong.
While responses ranged from pav bhaji to pizza to gulab jamun, one such mention faced the wrath of South India. “Idli are the most boring things in the world,” Edward Anderson, a United Kingdom-based Professor of history and expert in India-Britain studies, wrote.
Idli are the most boring things in the world. https://t.co/2RgHm6zpm4
— Edward Anderson (@edanderson101) October 6, 2020
There was never a better moment to define “all hell broke loose”. The post instantly caught the attention of South Indian Twitter and idli enthusiasts, who absolutely detested such a “blasphemous” opinion.
Film producer SR Prabhu declared that “whole of South India is united through idli”.
Not just Biriyani…whole of South India is united through idli😂😂 https://t.co/Ljp4uwiooa
— S.R.Prabhu (@prabhu_sr) October 7, 2020
Few left Anderson a light warning.
Do not invoke the wrath of South India (and the greater South Indian diaspora). https://t.co/PhSMCw7Wzf pic.twitter.com/LbBv2aRKdP
— Sri Baqri (Narasimhan) (@Sri_Baqri) October 7, 2020
Edward, that rumbling you hear is the South Indians mobilising the army. What have you done?!!!!
— Rajesh Mehta (@RajeshBKDM) October 6, 2020
Others fought the good fight to uphold idli’s dignity.
If any Indian breakfast dish is boring, it is UPPUMA.
IDLI is so versatile, it takes the taste of whatever condiment you have it with.https://t.co/lQX5SY5Meo pic.twitter.com/e4KrgCNnaE
— सबका विकास घर वाप्सी के साथ!! (@skommana1) October 9, 2020
Oh, the pain. Say it ain't so!! pic.twitter.com/cRpvAYbMRn
— Thea BlackCatOween (@thea987) October 7, 2020
The idli debacle went on to catch the interest of Ishaan Tharoor, who termed Anderson’s taste as “the most offensive take on Twitter”.
I think I've encountered the most offensive take on Twitter. https://t.co/jRb2xI3mX1
— Ishaan Tharoor (@ishaantharoor) October 6, 2020
Needless to say, it eventually made it to Ishaan’s father and Thiruvananthapuram Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s timeline. And he dropped his two cents on the anti-idli sentiment that had the desis in splits.
“Civilisation is hard to acquire: the taste & refinement to appreciate idlis, enjoy cricket, or watch ottamthullal is not given to every mortal,” Sr Tharoor tweeted. “Take pity on this poor man, for he may never know what life can be.”
Yes, my son, there are some who are truly challenged in this world. Civilisation is hard to acquire: the taste & refinement to appreciate idlis, enjoy cricket, or watch ottamthullal is not given to every mortal. Take pity on this poor man, for he may never know what Life can be. https://t.co/M0rEfAU3V3
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 7, 2020
Anderson did his best to salvage the situation at hand. He also pointed out that his in-laws were from Kerala, hoping it would help the idli-warriors calm down.
p.s. Before the whole of south India attacks me, can I just say that I love dosa and appam and basically all south Indian food. But idli (and puttu for that matter) are insufferable.
— Edward Anderson (@edanderson101) October 6, 2020
He also expressed his fear of the “world’s most famous Idli Evangelist” aka Shashi Tharoor catching a whiff of the idli banter. But Anderson had a few tricks up his sleeve.
Oh no, I feared that the world's most famous idli evangelist would see this after @ishaantharoor tweeted it! Coincidentally 'this poor man' is currently re-reading one of your books which I've set my students to read for a class next week! pic.twitter.com/30vqyrEQQk
— Edward Anderson (@edanderson101) October 7, 2020
And while Tharoor was kind enough to drop the British man an idli recipe (like many others) that would be “the closest thing to heaven on this earth!”, Anderson decided to go ahead and just order some. “Having accidentally enraged the entirety of South India (and its omnipresent diaspora) on Twitter, it was only right to order idlis for lunch,” he tweeted. Nonetheless, his opinion remains unchanged. Just like the priorities of our politicians and media.
Having accidentally enraged the entirety of South India (and its omnipresent diaspora) on twitter, it was only right to order idlis for lunch. I'm very sorry to report that my unpopular – or "blasphemous", as some have said – opinion remains unchanged. #sorrynotsorry https://t.co/qx2VRJw6EO pic.twitter.com/TmIvxNWaYx
— Edward Anderson (@edanderson101) October 7, 2020
The worst, however, was yet to come. And you thought the US Presidential debate was the last of the tomfoolery you would see out here.
Fantastic. My stupid idli comment has now been connected – ever so tenuously – to the US election. For the record: I love Indian food… and especially south Indian food! (Just not idlis). https://t.co/tLtzhlVFOF
— Edward Anderson (@edanderson101) October 9, 2020
Can we take a moment to appreciate this pun, though?
From now on you are Dr Edli
— Rachel Dwyer (@RachelMJDwyer) October 9, 2020
For a country so fixated on food, you bet this wasn’t a one-time incident. Last year, columnist Tom Nichols was called out for his “hate” against Indian food and labelled a racist.
Indian food is terrible and we pretend it isn’t. https://t.co/NGOUtRUCUN
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) November 23, 2019
I tweeted that I couldn't stand Indian cuisine and started an international food fight https://t.co/1iUs5Q6Xi8 via @usatoday
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) November 26, 2019
TBH, the clapbacks were spicier than Nichols’ hot take.
Fakest of the fakest news. https://t.co/D0EXhtsgQe
— LaJethro Jenkins (@LaJethroJenkins) November 25, 2019
Don’t worry Tom!! Your taste buds will eventually develop to where you can sense more than two spices!! Hang in there!!! https://t.co/e79MmYuDCC
— HAMEL PATEL (@hamelpatel_) November 25, 2019
Food, as they say, is a feeling. You eat when you’re hungry, happy, sad, bored, in love, heartbroken and so on. But clearly, one bad word against Indian food and the only feeling it will evoke is anger.
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