While Veganism is predominantly rooted in Western thought and is a commendable approach to address climate change, its adoption in India is characterised by a unique set of motivations. While it is frequently associated with animal welfare, the fundamental underpinning for this exclusionary dietary practice is the intricate concept of “purity versus pollution” ideology. The Brahmins in India, typically adhering to a vegetarian diet (not vegan), have historically occupied the highest rungs of the caste hierarchy. Their dietary choice has led to the stigmatisation of meat eaters, resulting in restrictions on temple entry after consuming meat and the exclusion of meat from significant events such as marriages. This practice, deeply rooted in caste-based traditions, places vegetarians on a pedestal and is underpinned by the casteist belief that vegetarianism symbolises purity. Similarly, White Veganism at certain places exhibits a condescending attitude towards Indigenous food traditions in Australia.
Isabel Wilkerson, in her book “Caste,” identifies eight fundamental pillars that support institutional racism, connecting white nationalism, the Aryan ideology in Nazi Germany, and India’s upper caste. She highlights the common thread of maintaining supposed purity within. For instance, white supremacists have historically emphasised the need to preserve “pure” bloodlines. Under the Nazi regime, Jewish individuals were even prohibited from setting foot on beaches, reflecting the extreme measures to maintain Aryan purity. Similarly, in the United States, African-Americans were barred from public swimming pools, with pools needing to be drained and cleaned if a Black person had been in them before they were considered suitable for white individuals. In the context of India’s caste hierarchy, something as fundamental as “food” was used to determine an individual’s purity, along with their birth.
The consumption of beef, especially by Dalits and Muslims in India, has been historically stigmatised by upper-caste Hindus, who consider it impure, supposedly because they worship cows. Dalits and Muslims, most marginalised and disadvantaged socio-economically, could have turned to beef as a relatively affordable source of protein, made more accessible due to their circumstances. In that sense, this complex relationship between dietary choices and socio-economic disparities, was only influenced by a history of land grabs and exclusion perpetuated by the upper-caste Hindus.
At the same time, there exists a complex duality in India, where cows are revered as sacred animals, yet their skin is used to craft musical instruments like the Mridangam, which hold great religious significance and are played in temples and religious events. In the realm of Carnatic music, the crafting of instruments that involve cow skin is a meticulous process, often requiring careful selection of the animal while it is still alive. This craft has been traditionally preserved and practised by Brahmins and is regarded as a sacred form of service to the divine. This cultural dichotomy underscores the hypocrisy within the upper caste notion of purity vs pollution, as also discussed by the musician and author TM Krishna in his book “Sebastian and Sons”.
Furthermore, with the rising popularity of Veganism, some upper-caste Brahmins have adopted it as a tool to reinforce their age-old oppressive notion that “meat is impure.” They employ videos depicting the gruesome treatment of cows and cramped conditions for chickens to support their argument. While many Brahmins enjoy considerable privilege, enabling them to substitute milk and eggs with alternative energy sources, the majority of the population faces a significant challenge in replacing their essential dietary intake. Notably, data from the National Family Health Survey-5, conducted in 2019-20, reveals that a substantial 71.8% of women and 83.2% of men in India incorporate meat into their diets.
It can only be inferred that the prevalence of meat consumption in India, intricately connected to caste dynamics, is too substantial to be labelled as a “minority”. Nevertheless, it’s intriguing how Brahminism has often shaped the global narrative, linking India with vegetarianism. India, known for its incredible diversity, also exhibits a wide array of dietary choices.