Countering the Politics of Forced Vegetarianism

In a just and fair society, every individual should have the freedom to choose their food, provided it does not cause proven harm to themselves or society. If one group believes a particular food should be prohibited, while another accepts its consumption, no group should impose its dietary preferences on others through force or coercion.

Unfortunately, in our country, food habits and dietary choices often become instruments of discrimination, oppression, and even violence. Many people specially those who follow vegetarian or vegan diets perpetuate the myth that India is predominantly vegetarian, suggesting that those who consume meat are somehow violating Indian culture and religious values. This mindset often leads to stereotyping meat-eaters as inferior, cruel, or uncivilized.

Such prejudiced thinking has, at times, fuelled discrimination and hostility against communities known for their non-vegetarian diets, including Muslims, Christians, Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and people from the North East and coastal regions. These biases not only deepen societal divides but also undermine the principles of coexistence and mutual respect.

Scope of Work: Although the politics of forced vegetarianism in the country is multi-layered and complex, this paper will focus specifically on the following key aspects only.

1. Global Dietary Patterns: An overview of dietary habits and preferences across the globe.
2. Dietary Patterns in India: Analysis of food consumption trends across various Religious Communities, Social Groups, Economic Classes, States and Regions in India.
3. Religious Perspectives on Diet and Animal Sacrifice: Understanding what major religions say about food consumption, restrictions, and preferences and Animal Sacrifice.
4. Does Meat Consumption Indicate Barbarism?: Addressing the stereotypes and biases associated with meat-eating.
5. Economic contribution of the Non-Vegetarian Industry: Analysis of the meat industry’s contribution to the economy and its role in employment and trade.

Global Dietary Patterns:

According to IPSOS Global Advisory Survey (2018), approximately 91–92% of the world’s population consumes non-vegetarian food. The survey was conducted between February 23rd and March 9th, with 20,313 adults across 28 countries (Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United States).

Reference: https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/ct/news/documents/2018-09/an_exploration_into_diets_around_the_world.pdf)

Dietary Patterns in India:

Percentage of Non-Vegetarian Population in the age group of 15-49 years

According to NFHS-5 (2019-2021), an overwhelming 83.4% of men and 70.6% of women in the 15-49 years age group have non-vegetarian food daily, weekly, or occasionally. According to NHFS-4 (2015-16), 78.4% of men and 70% of women in the same age group consumed non-vegetarian food.

Proportion of Indians who consume non-vegetarian food has gone up between 2015 and 2021, 5% increase in Male population and 0.6% in Female population.

Reference:

1) National Family Health Survey -5 Report: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR375/FR375.pdf

2) https://indianexpress.com/article/india/more-men-eating-non-veg-than-before-nfhs-data-7920932/

3) https://www.newsclick.in/NFHS-Data-Shows-More-men-Eating-Non-veg-Than-Before

Food Consumption pattern of different Groups in India:

Religion, Caste and Economic Status also play a role in dietary habits. Following chart describes the percentage of Non-Vegetarian Population among different groups in India.

As per Nileena Suresh’s report for data for India published in March2025, nearly all of the Muslim (99%), Christian (99%) and Buddhists/neo-Buddhist (97%) populations eat meat. Among Hindus, a little over three-quarters consume meat, while Jains and Sikhs have the highest share of vegetarians. Only one-quarter of Jains and half of Sikhs have ever eaten meat.

Among religious groups, Christians accounted for the highest consumption of non-vegetarian food at least once a week, comprising 80% of men and 78% of women in the 15-49 age group. Christian men and women are followed by Muslim men and women of the same age group; 79.5% of Muslim men and 70.2% of women ate non-vegetarian food at least once a week. As per the report, the respective numbers for other religions are: Hindu men: 52.5%, women: 40.7%; Sikh men: 19.5%, women: 7.9%; Buddhist/Neo-Buddhist men: 74.1%, women: 62.2%; and Jain men 14.9%, women: 4.3%.

Among Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), 87% and 88% respectively consume meat, while the figure is lower at 72% for other groups.

The consumption of meat is more common among lower-income groups. Nearly nine out of ten people belonging to the poorest 20% of India’s population eat meat, compared to about seven out of ten among the wealthiest 20%. This difference is larger among women, especially in rural areas. Among women belonging to the wealthiest group in rural India, just over half eat meat, whereas three-quarters of men do.

Reference:

• Meat consumption in India by Nileena Suresh, Data for India (February 2025): https://www.dataforindia.com/meat-consumption/
• https://indianexpress.com/article/india/more-men-eating-non-veg-than-before-nfhs-data-7920932/
• https://www.newsclick.in/NFHS-Data-Shows-More-men-Eating-Non-veg-Than-Before
• National Family Health Survey 5 (2019-21), International Institute for Population Sciences

Dietary Pattern of different States in India:

Only four states have a vegetarian majority – Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat. Coastal states have very few vegetarians, with less than 5% of the population reporting that they had never eaten meat, except in Karnataka (12%) and Maharashtra (18%).

Data is for people aged 15-49. The survey records food consumption separately for men and women. To calculate overall consumption, data from men (15-49) and women in state-module households were merged.

Reference:

• Meat consumption in India by Nileena Suresh, Data for India (February 2025): https://www.dataforindia.com/meat-consumption/
• National Family Health Survey 5 (2019-21), International Institute for Population Sciences

Religious Perspectives on Non-Vegetarian Diet and Animal Sacrifice:

(Note: The purpose of this section is to provide information and better understanding of various religious perspectives on the topic. It is important to note that, unlike in Islam, religious texts are not always considered the foundational basis of the faith in many other religions. In many religions, traditions, practices and customs are given greater importance than ancient scriptures. Additionally, any references to religious texts included in this section should not be used in a derogatory or disrespectful manner, especially for the sake of winning an argument.)

Unfortunately, there is a widespread myth in our country that only Islam and Christianity permit the consumption of meat, while other religions prohibit it. Similarly, many people assume that meat consumption is limited to these two communities. However, the data presented earlier clearly shows that the majority of people from almost all religious groups – except Jains and Sikhs – consume non-vegetarian food. Even within the Jain and Sikh communities, a significant number of people include some form of non-vegetarian food in their diet.

While the data reflects the dietary habits of various communities, it is also important to understand what the major Indian religions actually teach regarding diet and food choices. Let’s now explore the religious doctrines and cultural beliefs surrounding dietary practices in India.

Hinduism: Many Scholars believe that though consuming Non-Veg is not strictly prohibited in all branches of Hinduism, consuming non-vegetarian food is generally seen as undesirable but ultimately it depends on which sect/tradition of Hinduism you follow. In Religious scriptures of Hinduism, One can easily find arguments against as well as in the favour of Non-Veg Diet and Animal Sacrifice.

Renowned Scholar, Swami Vivekanand said, “You will be astonished if I tell you that, according to old ceremonials, he is not a good Hindu who does not eat beef. On certain occasions, he must sacrifice a bull and eat it” (cited in ‘The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda’, Vol. 3 (Calcutta: Advaita Ashram, 1997, p. 536).”

Click on the following links to read verses from Different Hindu Religious Scriptures which support the idea of Non-Vegetarian Diet and Animal Sacrifice:

https://vedkabhed.com/index.php/2018/01/01/meat-consumption-in-hinduism/#Animal_slaughter_and_meat_consumption_in_the_Vedas

https://www.dawahmaterials.com/answering-hindus/128-animal-sacrifices-in-hindu-scriptures

Buddhism:Just like Hinduism, there is a difference of opinion among Buddhist Scholars regarding consumption of Non-Veg food. Anya Daly and Sonam Thakchoe, both Senior lecturers of Philosophy at University of Tasmania, write: “Some Buddhists are strictly vegetarian, and others eat meat. Both justify their positions on the basis of Buddhist texts and teachings. In the Mahayana Buddhist traditions of China, Taiwan, Vietnam and Korea, meat-eating is prohibited. In others, such as in some Theravadin traditions and Tibetan Buddhism, meat-eating is acceptable. In certain circumstances it may be encouraged for health, or for ritual tantric practices…. Meat-eating in the Theravadin tradition may have been justified partly because of legal precedent or permissibility. Firstly, the monks are required to dutifully accept whatever food is given to them by the laity to avoid attachment to any particular tastes, so if somebody offers meat to a monk, he has to consume it. Secondly, a monk is allowed to consume meat if it is deemed “pure” on three grounds: if the killing of the animal has not been witnessed or heard by that monk and if it is not suspected to have been killed on purpose for them.”

(Reference:https://theconversation.com/can-a-buddhist-eat-meat-its-complicated-207117)
Referring to D.N. Jha’s book ‘Myth of Holy Cow,’ Ram Puniyani writes:“D.N. Jha in his book ‘Myth of Holy Cow’ shows that it was with the rise of agricultural society that the restriction was brought in on cow sacrifice by Lord Buddha. The primary goal was to preserve the cattle wealth. The ardent follower of Buddhism, Emperor Ashok, in one of his edicts to the royal kitchen orders that only as many animals and birds be killed as are necessary for the food in the kitchen. This was to put a brake on the animal sacrifice which was part of the Brahmanical rituals. It was as a reaction to this that Brahminism came up to project cow as mother to show that it also has concern for cattle and in due course Brahmanism, and politics around it, gave her the status of mother.”

(Politics of Vegetarianism by Ram Puniyani: https://www.indiancurrents.org/article-politics-of-vegetarianism-ram-puniyani-757.php )

Jainism: As far as Jainism is concerned, it strictly prohibits the consumption of non-vegetarian food as it considers killing or harming any living being to be an act of violence. This principle extends to not just animals but also to plants that grow underground like onions and garlic, as uprooting them could harm the insects that live in their ecosystem. It is important to note that despite such strong prohibition on consumption of Non-Veg food, as per NFHS-5, nearly 15% Jain men, over 4% Jain women eat non-veg.
(Reference: https://theprint.in/india/more-jain-men-fewer-jain-women-eating-non-vegetarian-food-reveals-nfhs-5-data/966364/ )
Christianity: In Christianity, a non-vegetarian diet is generally considered acceptable, with some exceptions and restrictions. The Bible says:“God grants humans permission to eat meat after the flood, stating “Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs.” (Genesis 9:3). It is important to note that though Christianity allows consumption of Non-Veg, The New Testament specifically advises Christians to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, and from meat of strangled animals.

Islam: In Islam, a non-vegetarian diet, where meat is consumed, is permissible under specific conditions. The Quran explicitly permits the consumption of halal(permissible) meat, but also emphasises the importance of treating animals with compassion. Muslims are allowed to eat meat from certain animals, provided they are slaughtered according to Islamic law (halal). This involves cutting the throat and draining the blood, ensuring a swift and humane death. Certain animals are forbidden, including pork (pigs), and animals that die of natural or unnatural causes without being slaughtered according to halal standards.

Sikhism: The Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority in Sikhism, has issued guidelines on this topic. While it does not mandate vegetarianism for all Sikhs, it does specify that meat prepared through ritual slaughter, known as kutha meat, is forbidden. This is because the Gurus rejected ritualistic practices and deemed them unnecessary for spiritual progress. In simple terms, Sikhs are encouraged to avoid kutha meat, but eating non-ritually slaughtered meat is left to individual choice. One of the common misconceptions about Sikhism is that it mandates vegetarianism. This belief often arises from the vegetarian nature of Langar or the dietary practices of certain Sikh groups. However, Sikhism does not impose vegetarianism on its followers.

Refrence: https://shiningsikh.com/sikhism-and-food-is-vegetarianism-a-must/#:~:text=The%20Akal%20Takht%27s%20Perspective,is%20left%20to%20individual%20choice.

Does Meat Consumption Indicate Barbarism?

There is absolutely no proof or reason to link Meat Consumption with Cruelty and Barbarism. Human beings have been omnivorous for millions of years. According to Wrangham (2009), the mastery of fire and the subsequent cooking of meat were pivotal in increasing caloric intake, which fuelled brain growth. Similarly, Milton (1999) argues that meat-eating was not only common but necessary for early human survival and development. The notion that meat consumption is inherently barbaric disregards its fundamental role in human advancement.

References: Wrangham, R.W. (2009). ‘Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human’

Milton, K. (1999). “A hypothesis to explain the role of meat-eating in human evolution.” Evolutionary Anthropology: Issues, News, and Reviews, 8(1), 11–21.

Dietary choices are deeply rooted in cultural, geographical, and environmental contexts. Meat consumption, when done ethically and sustainably, supports in maintaining ecological balance. It is also important to note that Humans are biologically adapted to consume meat, with physiological features like canine teeth and a digestive system capable of processing animal proteins. Meat provides essential nutrients, such as vitamin B12, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are harder to obtain from a plant-based diet alone. In many cultures, meat is an essential dietary component, providing necessary nutrients in areas where plant-based food is scarce. To label these practices as barbaric disregards global diversity and nutritional realities.

The assertion that meat consumption is inherently barbaric fails to consider historical, cultural, biological, and ethical complexities. Meat consumption has been a vital aspect of human survival, cultural expression, and ecological balance throughout history. Ethical considerations should focus on humane practices rather than blanket moral judgments about dietary choices.

It is important to note that Nature itself operates on a food chain, and humans have evolved as omnivores. Labelling meat consumption as cruelty disregards cultural, nutritional, and ecological realities. Moreover, plant agriculture also causes harm – deforestation, pesticide use, and habitat loss. Politics of vegetarianism overlooks the environmental damage and animal deaths involved in plant-based agriculture. True cruelty lies not in eating meat, but in disregarding sustainable practices, oversimplifying morality, and imposing guilt through selective compassion.

Economic Contribution of the Non-Vegetarian Industry:

Non-vegetarian food industries significantly contribute to India’s economy by generating substantial revenue, providing employment, and boosting agricultural output. According to a research, meat production in India is estimated at 6.3 million tons annually and is ranked 5th in the world in terms of production volume. The nation has the world’s largest population of livestock at about 515 million. As per IMARC, The Indian meat market is a significant contributor to the economy, with a value of USD 55.3 billion in 2024 and projected to reach USD 114.4 billion by 2033. The meat and poultry industries provide employment opportunities to millions of Indians, particularly in rural areas.

According to Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) which comes under MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, Animal products hold a pivotal role in the socio-economic fabric of India, contributing significantly to both the livelihood of millions and the nation’s nutritional security. As per FAO Statistic 2023, India has emerged as the largest producer of milk, the production of milk in India was 250.58 million ton with a 25 percent share in total milk production in the world in 2021. India’s production of egg was 138.3 billion with 7.25 percent of the global egg production in 2021 and in case of meat production, there was 9.77 million ton with 3 percent of the global meat production in 2021.

India has the largest population of milch animals in the world, with 109.85 million buffaloes, 148.88 million goats and 74.26 million sheep in 2019. The growth rate recorded was highest for Sheep 14.13 per cent followed by Goat 10.14 per cent and Buffalo 1.06 per cent during 2012 to 2019(Source: 20thLivestock Census-2019, DAHD).

Exports of animal products represent a significant contribution to the Indian Agriculture sector. The export of Animal Products includes Buffalo meat, Sheep/ Goat meat, Poultry products, Animal Casings, Milk and Milk products and Honey, etc. India’s exports of Animal Products in 2023-24 was 4,543.52 USD Millions which is as follows: (Source-DGCIS)

Reference: https://apeda.gov.in/AnimalProducts

India’s top beef exporters:

There is a misconception that only Muslims are engaged in the beef industry business but fact of the matter is that most of India’s top beef industries are owned by Non-Muslims. Here is a short list of the country’s top beef exporters.

Allanasonspvt. Ltd. – Rashid Sohrab Kadimi

Al-Kabeer Exports Pvt. Ltd. – Shatish& Atul Sabharwal

M.K.R Frozen Food Exports Pvt. Ltd – Madan Abott

P.M.L Industries Pvt. Ltd. – A.S. Bindra.

Arabian Exports Pvt. Ltd. – Sunil Kapoor

In conclusion, it can be safely stated that neither the world nor India is predominantly vegetarian. The majority of the global population, as well as Indian population, consumes non-vegetarian food. Major world religions and cultures, including those in India, allow the consumption of meat and animal sacrifice. There is no substantial evidence to link meat consumption inherently with violence, cruelty, or barbarism.

From a practical perspective, the non-vegetarian food industry is essential for maintaining ecological balance, supporting human nutrition, and significantly contributing to the economy.

The real issue does not lie in whether a diet is vegetarian or non-vegetarian but rather in the tendency of certain groups to impose their dietary preferences on others through force or coercion. It is crucial to recognise that promoting vegetarianism by undermining non-vegetarian practices leads to social, cultural and religious polarisation. Therefore, it is high time to reject the politics of forced vegetarianism or the notion of vegetarian supremacy. Instead, we should embrace the principles of freedom, diversity, and mutual respect when it comes to dietary choices.

[The writer is National Secretary, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind]