Stanford Students Pose as Jains to Avoid Mandatory Meal Plan, Essay Claims

Stanford University’s mandatory meal plan is the latest food controversy bothering Indians. An undergraduate’s essay has evoked a social media debate, in which students, particularly Indian students, shared that they are worried that the vegetarian food served at the university must be coming into contact with non-vegetarian items during cooking.

The discussion began after an undergraduate's essay claimed that some students falsely identify as Jain to get an exemption from the university's compulsory meal plan, which costs around Rs 7.17 lakh for the 2025-26 academic year.

Responding to the essay, few Indian students remarked on social media that the issue is not misuse of religious identity, but “valid concerns” about food handling practices in campus kitchens. “In many cases among Indians, the label Jain can also signify dietary preferences where onion & garlic is avoided,” wrote one user named Savitri Mumukshu.

That’s not true or fair. Indian students at Stanford do that out of valid concerns - many of them don’t want to eat food that may be in contact with beef which is a religious anathema to us. That’s why Whole Foods is a safer option. In many cases among Indians, the label Jain can…

— Savitri Mumukshu - सावित्री मुमुक्षु (@MumukshuSavitri) February 3, 2026

Another user suggested that the university should hire someone like Akshaya Patra or Sikh Langar to run their kitchens, while another commented "Jain Supremacy."

Stanford should hire someone like Akshaya Patra or Sikh Langar to run their kitchens. Pure Satvik good nutritious food …

— TweeterPeter (@Manjunaath) February 3, 2026

Jain supremacy
Good to hear that such universities recognise Jainism

— Bhavya Jain (@07Bhavya) February 3, 2026

A jewish user also seemed to resonate with the sentiments, stating that Stanford is not the only school that has mandatory meal plans. 

Lol, this has been going on for decades. We swapped tips how to get out of mandatory meal plans back when I was there, too. Kosher didn't do it, but some allergies would. And Stanford isn't the only school that did it.

— Not a Good Jewish Girl✡️ (@estherzelda0514) February 2, 2026

Users also pointed out that many Hindus follow strict dietary rules similar to kosher practices, which require vegetarian food to be cooked and served separately from meat.

Many Hindus too have traditional kosher-like rules regarding preparation of vegetarian food separately without contact with meat etc. So it’s a necessity.

— Raghav Kumar Dwivedula (@DwivedulaKumar) February 3, 2026

The debate also drew condemnation for the cost of the meal plan. Few users, seemignly Stanford alumni, recalled that the diet available at the university used to cheaper and better. Few others criticised mandatory meal plans altogether, saying students should be free to choose where and what they eat.