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At a dinner recently, when the chicken was served, one of the friends politely refused and said, "I've turned vegetarian." This coming from a once die-hard non-vegetarian was something that triggered an intense discussion. While some praised the shift, others immediately connected it with religion. That reaction set me thinking: why is turning vegetarian in India often perceived as an orthodox move, steeped in tradition or religious connotations while announcing a switch to veganism meets with curiosity and admiration? It is an interesting paradox, more so considering the West, where plant-based diets-either vegetarian or vegan-are followed for their health and environmental benefits and often supported. While in India, the decision to turn vegetarian is looked at with suspicion or as something regressive, the personal choice of veganism has been trumpeted as progressive and elite.
From religious doctrines to the cultural way of life, vegetarianism finds its strong roots buried deep in the Indian subcontinent. In contrast, in today's world, announcing oneself as vegetarian often invites raised eyebrows, especially for one who has lived life as a non-vegetarian. Abstinence from meat is seen as orthodox, if not regressive, aligned as it is with strict conventional beliefs or religious convictions. Veganism-the no-meat-and-no-animal-products diet- has achieved a trendy, even elite status, particularly among urban dwellers.
This leads to an important question: why is turning vegetarian in India understood to be a sign of orthodoxy while going vegan is perceived to be a very forward-thinking lifestyle choice?
Vegetarianism: A Tradition or a Stigma?
In fact, for most Indians, vegetarianism is not an option but a traditional trait handed over to generations. Any deviation towards non-vegetarian food from purely vegetarian households is seriously frowned upon. On the other hand, if somebody from a generally non-vegetarian background lets go of meat, it is a big and sometimes questionable transformation.
Vegetarianism is related to religion in Indian society. The Jains and some sects of Hindus have been vegetarians since time immemorial, as it was their form of religious order. To them, it is impure or even sinful to eat meat. And the immediate assumption when someone who has always eaten meat suddenly turns vegetarian is that this change could be due to religious or spiritual reasons.
That is a religious connotation where the perception of conservative comes into play. Vegetarianism, in this light, becomes not only a way of eating but even more a statement of one's religious convictions and cultural identity. So, when anyone claims to have turned vegetarian, he or she receives emotions anywhere from respect to confusion to even pity, especially among circles where non-vegetarian food is the order of the day.
Veganism: The Modern, Global Trend
On the other hand, veganism is a rather new concept to have entered the Indian vocabulary, one that is most associated with global trends and modern lifestyles. Vegetarianism has deep historical roots in Indian culture, while veganism is viewed as an imported idea, firmly tied to notions of environmental sustainability, animal rights, and health consciousness.
The moment one utters the words that they've turned vegan, the curiosity is instant. People are more interested in knowing what this group of people eats, how they manage without the intake of dairy products, and what motivates them. In fact, many people actually do admire the discipline and commitment one puts into keeping up with such a diet considering milk and its by-products like ghee and paneer form such an important part of Indian diets.
In that sense, veganism has become a status symbol in urban India. Veganism is increasingly seen as progressive, an enlightened decision in tune with international trends of sustainable and humane consumption. The fact that veganism is so very often dependent upon the consumption of elite products such as almond milk, tofu, and vegan which can be expensive and hard to find-further solidifies the tag of elite lifestyle.
Social Dynamics of Food Choices
While vegetarianism and veganism have contrasting perceptions in India, the dietary choices most definitely bring into play some rather complex social dynamics.
On one hand, vegetarianism is seen as traditional and almost an expected choice in certain communities, while when embraced by those hailing from non-vegetarian backgrounds, it's often viewed through a lens of orthodoxy or religious adherence.
Veganism, in contrast, is about modernity and global consciousness and has, therefore, become something emblematic of a trend, aspirational lifestyle choice. This dichotomy reflects broader societal attitudes towards tradition and modernity. Vegetarianism, despite the health benefits and ethical considerations it comes with, does often represent adherence to the past-to religious mores and familial expectations. Outwardly, veganism is considered one step ahead towards the future in keeping with contemporary values of health, ecological sustainability, and animal care.
Embracing Dietary Diversity
Fundamentally, the way one thinks about and speaks of food choices reflects much about the values and priorities of our society. In a country like India, which is so diverse and where food is so very strongly identified with culture, religion, and even identity, dietary choices-whether according to tradition or those that are currently in style-must be a matter of personal decision, respected in understanding by others.
Whether vegetarianism, veganism, or non-vegetarianism is chosen should be seen simply as a reflection of values and beliefs and not as a marker of religion or modernity. As our relationship with food keeps changing, it's important that we go ahead embracing such diversity, giving freedom for choices to resonate from the ethical, health, and cultural perspectives of the individual.
While turning vegetarian in India may still be perceived to be an orthodox choice or one linked to religious or cultural identity, we must counter this perception and remind everyone that eating culturally vegetarian, vegan, or non-vegetarian-is an individual's personal preference and choice, which has to be honoured. With veganism quickly becoming a more modern and widely affected lifestyle trend, let's not forget to look at vegetarianism through the lens of understanding and acceptance rather than tradition..
