To be veg or non-veg, that's the question

Both vegetarians and non-vegetarians justify their choices

The debate of vegetarian versus non-vegetarian food is old and never-ending. With growing concern for the environment, the number of non-vegetarians turning vegetarians and vegans, those who discard anything derived from animals, including milk, butter, ghee, is also on the surge following the trends set by many national and international celebrities.

However, there is dearth of those whose first choice for all three times meal is non-vegetarian dishes and who can’t even think of renouncing their preference.

Very often, non-vegetarians are looked down upon, teased and disrespected by their vegetarian friends, relatives and acquaintances.

Besides, when in a group, non-vegetarians are expected to understand the ‘sentiments’ of their ‘veg’ counterparts and give a miss to their favourite dishes.

When it is only about one’s own discretion, perception and part of the culture they have grown up in, why don’t vegetarians accord the same respect to non-vegetarians on the dining table and otherwise. Metrolife once again takes the lid off this ‘hot’ debate on the occasion of World Animal Day, today.

Gaurav Chakraborty, a professional, says it is very common that he along with other non-vegetarian friends is bullied for being an ‘animal eater’.

In a group which has more number of vegetarians, he is often compelled to bypass  non-vegetarian dishes to save feeling ‘hurt’. “I am a die-hard non-vegetarian and when somebody asks me why I eat animals, my answer is to balance the cycle of nature.

“To bully them, I call vegetarians ‘grassitarians’. When I am with a majority of vegetarians, I am definitely targeted. But then I too try to give a miss to non-veg dishes so that they don’t feel bad. We non-vegetarians have an option of veg food. So we can’t expect them to sacrifice their choice anyway,” says Gaurav.

However, not all are bothered by the comments like ‘animal eaters’, ‘promoting killing of living beings’ citing that eating habits are controlled by the culture and religion.

Ishan Chawla, a media professional, says, “I am always oblivious to such comments from friends and enjoy my choice of food, which discourages them. “These things are controlled by religion and culture. If I have developed a habit and taste for eating non-vegetarian stuff, I can’t change it just because my friends don’t like it. Why can’t they turn non-vegetarian? After all, balancing and co-existence is also a concept.” But, not all get it right. For them, the million dollar question is ‘why kill and eat animals when there are enough veggies going around?’

Chandramani Roy, a big supporter of vegetarianism, jokingly says, “How do we understand the sentiments of non-vegetarians, when they don’t have any to  begin with?”

On a serious note, he says, “I have seen how animals are slaughtered and that itself makes me feel yucky. That is what makes me tease my non-veg friends. It is a matter of discretion but when we have an option why go for non-veg?” he asks, putting the question right back on the front burner.