Bone to Pick

While the sad event of the elephant-killing in Kerala was trending, and there were scores expressing their shock and dismay at it, an acquaintance questioned the 'non-vegetarians for their double-standards' - how could you/they protest when you/they kill chicken and other animals? Even as I expressed my surprise at this and called it the holier-than-thou attitude of the vegetarians, I possibly was too flustered to come out with any further cogent argument against the statement made by him. But, this tete-e-tete left me thinking and I wondered if it was double-standards on part of non-vegetarians.

Our country arguably has the largest number and percent of vegetarians.  And, even then the total number of strict vegetarians would not cross 10-15% of the total population.  It is another matter that these numbers can fill many nations several times over.  Yet, the concept of vegetarianism plays a huge role in the socio-political arena of the country.  And, vegetarians generally are smug about their food habits and feel superior to the non-vegetarians because they 'do not spill blood'.  Jokes abound on both vegetarians and non-vegetarians, but vegetarians have this chip on their shoulders for their dietary practices - particularly those that are born into vegetarian households/castes.  

The influence of vegetarianism - largely based on religious beliefs - this has made non-vegetarians (particularly, Hindu meat-eaters) to observe 'vegetarian only' days dedicated to one God/Goddess or the other.  Sometimes, even saints.  Monday for Mahadev, Tuesday for Hanuman, Thursday for Sai Baba/Raghavendra, Friday for Durga, Saturday for Balaji/Venkateswara.  If these are not enough, there are entire weeks and seasons that become completely off-meat.  Meat is off-limits in many households during Shravan and Kartik months.  Ditto during festive weeks of Dussera and Ram Navami.  Add more days as you please of course! If you crave even for an egg, be prepared to be looked down upon, ticked off, derided, and so on.  

Why does this smug superiority flourish even though vegetarianism has not been conclusively proven to be the best diet? Are vegetarians above and beyond double standards and hypocrisy and hence they gloat? My thoughts stem from these questions.

Barring vegans (in India, they might be minuscule in numbers) there are no pure vegetarians in our country.  Everyone consumes and swears by dairy.  We need milk and ghee even to propitiate gods.  And, no dairy product is vegetarian; it is from animals, be it cow or buffalo (or goat or camel).  We may not be killing these animals but we are not taking milk from them with consent either.  (I'm just imagining a conversation with a cow in my head, even as I type this).  So, the theory that meat-eaters practice double-standards would bounce back at the vegetarian here, wouldn't it?

Human beings are omnivores and are at the top of the food pyramid; our evolution has led us to a stage where we question the necessity to hunt and kill.  We have realised the importance of conserving biodiversity, not because it will save earth but us.  It is however natural for a human to desire meat - that's how she has evolved or designed.  It of course is completely fine not to desire and/or eat too - based on ethical/religious beliefs.  What is not fine is imposing these beliefs on the meat-eaters and shaming them. 

It is also a scientific fact that not all the nutrients that a human needs are available from a plant-based diet.  Certain amino acids and vitamins can only be obtained from animal sources.  Vegetarians develop Vitamin B12 deficiency more commonly than non-vegetarians. And, there are many medicines and supplements derived from animal sources that are used by vegetarians.  Sportspeople swear by a meat-diet for their performance.  Carl Lewis of course is an exception.  Most medicine trials are conducted on animals and most of us - regardless of our diet preferences - stay oblivious to this fact. 

Oh, and almost every vegetarian who can afford uses leather.  In the form of bags, belts, shoes, sandals, wallets, and so on.  That seems not to have bothered many. The non-leather options are either way too cheap or fancy and expensive.  

Lastly, is it double standards of the vegetarians when they protest against felling of trees and deforestation because they eat only plants?  Food for thought!

P.S.  I am not a non-vegetarian in a loose sense of the word.  I relish my egg and never crave for any kind of meat.  However, if I am hungry and meat is the only option I have learnt to eat.  And not starve.