The idea behind veganism is not new to India. While the term “vegan” might be modern, the principle behind it viz. compassion for animals, is deeply rooted in Indian philosophy and traditions. At its heart, veganism is about not harming animals and treating them with the respect and dignity they inherently deserve.
In today’s world, while we may consider ourselves more evolved and advanced, our treatment of animals tells a different story. Our actions toward animals reflect anything but progress. We continue to exploit, confine, and kill them for food, clothing, labour, entertainment, experimentation, cosmetics, religion, and even medicine. We have normalized this violence so thoroughly that we often fail to question it.
How We Exploit Animals
We cram billions of land animals into cages and pens so small they can barely move. Imagine if this were done to us… how would we feel? We haul trillions of sea animals from the ocean, often destroying marine ecosystems in the process… all for a meal. Imagine if we were suffocated to death in the thousands and all our natural systems of existence destroyed forever. How would we feel?
We kill tiny 6-month-old baby goats and 35-day-old chicks mercilessly and heartlessly even though they scream in pain and terror… all to satisfy our taste buds for 10 minutes. In the dairy industry, farmers forcibly separate calves from their mothers so that humans can consume the milk nature intended for their babies… little calves that pine away with hunger and for their mother’s love. Once these mothers are no longer “profitable,” for the farmer, he sells them off and they end up in the slaughterhouse where we kill them ruthlessly and needlessly.
👉 Watch: Horrors In Indias Dairy Industry, Deady Dairy and Maa Ka Doodh
We don’t even spare tiny creatures like bees; we steal the honey they produce for themselves and kill them in the thousands each time. We kill the tiny cochineal insect for the the red colour found in it to use in unnecessary and unhealthy processed foods. The flimsy reason being our desire to make money through addictive foods.
👉 Watch: The Bitter Truth Behind Honey Production
But food is just one area where we exploit animals.
We skin snakes, cows, and alligators while they are still alive for belts, bags, and shoes. We shear sheep for wool in inhumane ways, boil silkworms for silk, and torture oysters for pearls… all for fashion or status.
We continue using animals like horses, donkeys, elephants, bullocks, and mules as beasts of burden forcing them to ride on, carry heavy goods, pull carts, and even entertain us. Often, they collapse and die under the heavy work and weight we impose on them. We use bulls in our fields to till the land we grow crops in. We have modern machines to replace these animals, yet tradition and monetary profits often keep cruelty alive. We pluck feathers from peacocks and other birds for decor, religion, and fashion. Cruel practices continue in the name of tradition and entertainment. Bullock cart races, buffalo and cockfights still take place in almost all rural areas in India. Zoos remain lifelong prisons for wild animals even though wild animals have been banned in circuses.
👉 Read about: The Dangers of Zoos
Animal testing for cosmetics is banned in India, but the ingredients in many products sold in India are still tested on animals in other countries.
👉 Check: Cruelty-Free Cosmetics – PETA India
We kidnap elephants from the wild, then brutally break their spirit so they can be used in temples and for rides in terrains that are unsuitable for them.
👉 Watch: Gods in Shackles
We also kill animals like chickens, goats, cows, pigeons, and camels in religious rituals and call it “sacrifice.” None of these animals are aware about or would even care about our gods and our rituals and definitely none of them die willingly.
We continue to carry out medical experiments on dogs, monkeys, guinea pigs, rats, mice and rabbits even though many of these tests have little to no benefit to human health.
👉 Read: Animal Testing Is Bad Science – Humane Society
The Indian Vegan Heritage
Ironically, India has a vibrant tradition of plant-based eating. Everyday dishes like poha, upma, idli, dosa, vada with sambhar and chutney, batata vada, pani puri, bhel puri, roti-sabji, and dal-chawal with papad, chutney, and aachar are naturally vegan.
With such an abundance of grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and spices available everywhere in India, it’s not just possible but incredibly easy to eat nonviolently every day.
👉 Explore: Indian Vegan Cookbook
Ahimsa: The Soul of Compassion
India gifted the world the concept of Ahimsa: nonviolence toward all living beings. But somewhere along the way, we distanced ourselves from it and lost our way.
Ahimsa is not just about refraining from violence. It’s a way of living that is free of harmful thoughts, words, or actions. It’s a positive approach that uplifts both others and ourselves and veganism is a part of it.
When we refuse to harm others, we create peace within. Compassion isn’t a sacrifice. It’s freedom from evil thoughts and actions and living with kindness as the core.
Veganism as Ahimsa in Action
Veganism is a powerful expression of ahimsa. It challenges us to look at the world from the animal’s perspective. Would we want to be caged, milked, skinned, killed or used to entertain others?
If the answer is no, why do we do it to others?
Veganism is not a trend or a diet. It’s a conscious choice to stop dominating, exploiting, or harming animals. And in today’s world, we have every means to make that choice.
We don’t need meat, milk, or leather to survive. We don’t need animals to entertain us or to test our products. We can thrive physically, mentally, and spiritually without hurting anyone.
👉 Watch: Earthlings Documentary
A Call to Choose Compassion
Each of us has the power to change the world starting with what we eat, wear, buy, and support.
Let’s return to the values that once defined our culture: kindness, respect, and nonviolence. Let’s choose veganism as a first step not just for the animals, but for ourselves, our planet, and future generations.
Choose compassion. Choose nonviolence. Choose veganism.
🕊️ Ready to Take the First Step Toward a Kinder Life?
Every meal, every product, every choice matters.
✅ Start by removing dairy, meat, and eggs from your plate.
✅ Choose cruelty-free fashion and cosmetics.
✅ Speak up for animals by sharing what you learn.
💚 Explore easy vegan recipes: Indian Vegan Cookbook
🎬 Watch the documentary that inspired millions: Earthlings
📘 Learn more: Ahimsa Land Guide to Going Vegan
✨ Your choices create a ripple of compassion. Be the change. Go vegan.