Be a True Vegetarian, Be Vegan
By Kiran Ahuja
Summary
The National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-2021) reveals that 23% of Indians aged 15-49 are vegetarian, translating to approximately 32 crore people, nearly equivalent to the US population. While India takes pride in having the world’s largest vegetarian population, driven by principles like Ahimsa (non-violence) and religious values, many vegetarians unknowingly support animal exploitation through food, fashion, and entertainment. Commercial dairy farms often confine cows and buffaloes in unsanitary conditions, subjecting them to forced insemination, separation of calves, and eventual slaughter. Male calves, deemed unproductive, face starvation, abandonment, or butchery, while female calves are separated from mothers to maximize milk production. Despite legal bans in some states, cows are trafficked for slaughter. Dr. Kiran Ahuja, a manager at PETA India and a clinical physiotherapist and nutritionist, advocates for true vegetarianism and veganism to align consumer choices with ethical principles, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and conscientious consumption to uphold non-violence fully.
Conclusion
The document highlights India's significant vegetarian population, driven largely by religious and ethical principles like Ahimsa, yet points out the paradox of unintentional complicity in animal violence through food and other industries. It underscores the harsh realities of dairy and meat production, emphasizing the need for greater consumer consciousness to align practices with ethical values. By advocating for true vegetarianism and veganism, the text calls for a shift toward compassionate choices, challenging the status quo and urging readers to reconsider their consumption habits to uphold non-violence more fully.