A culinary dispute has erupted, resulting in a lawsuit filed in the Delhi High Court, seeking to settle the question of who invented butter chicken and Dal Makhni. The controversy revolves around the legacy of Kundan Lal Gujral, a renowned chef and restaurateur, credited with creating these iconic dishes at the Moti Mahal restaurant in Daryaganj, Delhi, following the Partition of India.
Kundan Lal Gujral, along with his partner Kundan Lal Jaggi, is recognized for their innovative cooking techniques, particularly the use of leftover tandoori chicken in a rich tomato and butter sauce, giving birth to the globally renowned butter chicken or murgh makhani. Additionally, their quest for a vegetarian complement to butter chicken led to the creation of dal makhani, a creamy lentil dish that has become a staple in North Indian cuisine.
While Moti Mahal claims historical association with the invention of these dishes, Daryaganj restaurant has asserted on its official website that it is the “Inventors of Butter Chicken and Dal Makhani.” This claim has led to a lawsuit from the owners of Moti Mahal, who argue that Chef Kundan Lal Gujral has been recognized as the sole inventor of these dishes since the 1950s. Moti Mahal accuses Daryaganj of misappropriating their business, goodwill, and reputation by making false claims and using misleading imagery. In the lawsuit, they seek ₹2 crore as damages, alleging that Daryaganj is attempting to mislead people into believing there is a connection between the two by making such claims on their website and other promotional material.
While Daryaganj is yet to file its response, it has been submitted in court that the first Moti Mahal was jointly established by predecessors of both parties (Gujral of Moti Mahal and Jaggi of Daryaganj) in Peshawar.
