Going against the green

Most vegan food is made in factories, and is ultra-processed. Expect more confusion with 'natural', 'meatless' and 'ethical' foods

- VIR SANGHVI

How does a food fad progress across the West? Well, it does okay until it comes up against a newer food fad. Then, the older fad falls into disrepute while the new fad has its moment in the sun.

We are all aware that veganism has been the reigning food fad in many Western countries for several years now. In fact, holier-than-thou Indian vegetarians have treated it as a validation of their lifestyle and have claimed that it proves that even Westerners have recognised how Indians have always got it right.

Yeah. Sure.

There are two huge elements of hypocrisy to this claim. First of all, Jainism requires its adherents to be vegetarians. Hinduism does not. Except for a few upper castes (Brahmins, Banias, etc), Hindus are not necessarily vegetarian.

(And even Brahmins in many Indian states are not vegetarian).

Second, Western vegans hate Indian vegetarians almost as much as they despise American carnivores. Because one of the prime causes of greenhouse gasses is the rearing of animals (especially cattle) for food. And around the world, cattle are reared not just for their meat; they are also reared for milk.

This is why vegans do not touch dairy products. Indian vegetarians, on the other hand, love paneer, ghee, milk, mithai, dahi.