I’ve felt a growing mental pull toward veganism in recent months. While I am already a vegetarian who avoids all meat, I like the taste of eggs to some extent. My main reservation about eggs is the deplorable condition of hens in small cages at our local market. Free-range eggs seem like a better concept, at least the hens can roam and socialize, but I still hesitate, as the true conditions of commercial operations are rarely transparent.
It’s disappointing that in my country, India, many people focus on conflicts over religion and other societal issues, while few actively raise concerns for animals. Right-wing groups claim to protect cows, but their motivation is often rooted solely in selfish religious reasons. This begs the question: Why only cows?I primarily identify as an atheist, though the label agnostic or spiritual might fit better. My admiration for veganism and vegetarianism is entirely devoid of religious roots. Although I come from a Hindu family, I prefer to view the principle of non-violence (ahimsa) toward every living being through a purely humanistic outlook.
The practice of vegetarianism is pervasive and can be observed across borders without needing a pre-established belief. Historical figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Socrates, and Isaac Newton were all noted vegetarians. Furthermore, modern intellectual giants like Albert Einstein and Nikola Tesla, and the compassionate Renaissance polymath Leonardo da Vinci, also chose a meat-free diet. Da Vinci, in particular, was famous for his deep compassion for animals, often purchasing caged birds at markets just to set them free, a powerful illustration of non-violence seen with a purely humanistic outlook.
I don’t believe religion has much to do with it. As far as I know, Hindu scriptures like the Vedas and Upanishads do not explicitly prohibit meat-eating, though a vegetarian diet is often preferred for spiritual progress. Less dominant religions like Jainism and Buddhism adhere to strict non-violence. Even the Holy Bible, which does not command meat consumption, promotes kindness toward all creatures.
The inclusion of animal sacrifice in some traditional beliefs seems to me like a distorted, even demonic, interpretation. It’s highly probable that these were metaphorical statements that are now being taken literally, causing distress to many.
It’s deeply disappointing that many struggle to comprehend the psychological distress and physical harm animals endure. The agricultural revolution is one of the major culprits for animal exploitation, alongside distorted religious interpretations. However, the situation is far worse today. Historically, farmers had personal engagement with their animals. In the modern world, the rise of the state and the market has replaced large poultry and dairy farms with cold, industrialized factory operations run by machines.
Veganism takes this ethical concern a step further. It isn’t just about avoiding dairy products for health benefits; the moral imperative to lessen cattle exploitation is a significant driver of its popularity. We might consider personally adopting a cow or a goat for milk consumption, but even this practice, which involves constant insemination, takes a great toll on their mental and physical health.
While the complete enforcement of vegetarianism or veganism would be moral, it would also be fascist in nature. The better approach, I believe, is to work on transforming ourselves from within and spreading knowledge through rationalism. The baseless and vague arguments often given by non-vegetarians and religious fanatics are ugly and easily dismantled by reason.
For instance, one common defense is the claim that “humans are designed to eat meat” or that it’s simply an unchangeable cultural tradition. To a rational mind, the physiological ability to consume meat doesn’t automatically create a moral obligation to inflict suffering. Our advanced society, which prides itself on mitigating suffering and developing alternatives, should view the unnecessary exploitation of animals not as a “natural” right, but as an avoidable choice. Rationalism compels us to choose the option that causes the least harm.
On a personal note, my parents built a feeding box for the birds on our balcony two years ago. We feed them rice, millet, and biscuits twice daily. Seeing them eat and jump around brings me so much happiness. They still fear us a little, but they have grown accustomed to our presence.