…
Of late, it seems to me that there is this awful hostility brandished between people with different food preferences. You see it a lot on Twitter, and frankly, I don’t get it.
Allow me to present my lack of understanding in context of where I come from – India.
Home to a billion (and more) people, India is a study in contradictions. If my facts serve me right, there are 32 official states in the country, and each one has its unique history, culture, literature, language, customs, folklore, cuisine and cuss words! India’s astounding diversity of population and culture blows my mind every time I ponder over it. Needless to say, most foreign visitors are astounded when they arrive, and they leave exhausted, enthralled, charmed.
Food choices? Don’t even get me started! There is a significant Hindu population in India that is staunchly vegetarian. By the way, in India, ‘vegetarian’ never includes fish. It does not even include eggs. Some Hindus may eat meat and fish but abstain from beef. Then there are others who will eat fish but will not consume any other meat products. The Jains are strictly vegetarian but they have additional guidelines. They don’t eat root vegetables, onion or garlic. Then there is the Muslim community that eats meat but abstains from pork. Folks belonging to the Sikh community may consume meat but they will not serve it during weddings and other auspicious occasions. On the other hand, the Bengali community is one where a baby’s first solid morsel of food is most likely a piece of cooked fish. During the monsoon month of Shravan, many people abstain from meat products. I believe that there is a religious reason for it although I am told that it’s the fish spawning season as well, making it an unsuitable time to consume seafood anyway.
See what I said about India and contradictions? Maybe I am ignorant but I am yet to come across any name calling or hostility or violence in the name of vegetarianism or veganism in India. Diversity in food choice is simply part of the greater diversity that exists in India. Then why fight over it? In any case, it is a personal decision. The consequence of your choice, food related and otherwise, will catch up with you eventually. Today, tomorrow, ten years later, or in a subsequent life time. It is just how Karma operates.
Besides, if being a vegetarian/vegan is really about practising non-violence, then where is the question of anger or hostility? Isn’t that a form of violence?
Soup for the Soul
As I said, it is weird. And completely unnecessary.
