Saffron Plate: Analysing India's Vegetarian Nationalism

In the kaleidoscope of Indian politics, the lens of vegetarian nationalism has fixated upon the Muslim community. It exposes the complex web of its political origins as well as the possible social divides it might create.

People walk by closed meat stores in Gurugram, India I Source: Reuters

The world has taken notice of the growth of vegetarian nationalism in India, which targets the Muslim community. In India, there has always been a tie between vegetarianism and religion, but in the modern day, it has become a divisive political tool. There are numerous historical contexts, motivating factors, and ramifications of this complicated subject, explaining why vegetarian nationalism in India has occasionally been directed toward Muslims.

The origins of vegetarianism in India can be found in the past when Buddhism and Jainism were significant forces promoting a vegetarian diet. It is important to remember, nevertheless, that food preferences have traditionally been varied and not exclusively connected to religious affiliation. In this sense, becoming a vegetarian is not a strict religious requirement but rather a personal and cultural decision.

The emergence of Hindu nationalism, embodied by organisations such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its political branch, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is one of the significant factors contributing to the directed focus of vegetarian nationalism on Muslims. These organisations have supported a strain of Hinduism aiming to establish the supremacy of Hindu culture and religion in India. In this sense, vegetarianism becomes both a tool to criticise the practices of religious minorities and a symbol of Hindu identity.

In India, vegetarianism has been used for political advantage. The advocacy of vegetarianism has been a calculated tactic employed by specific political figures in the Hindu nationalist movement to broaden their support base and win over segments of the Hindu populace. As a result, a narrative that divides people and emphasises food habits and cultural distinctions has been created, painting Muslims as the "other."

A significant factor in the targeted attention on Muslims is the confluence of vegetarianism and economics. In India, Dalits and Hindus from lower castes have traditionally worked in industries that include the production and consumption of meat. Some Hindu nationalist organisations want to further marginalise these people by promoting vegetarianism. Muslims in India are easy targets in this political narrative because they have also worked in the meat industry.

"Cow vigilantes" targeting the cattle trade I Source: Deutsche Welle

The possibility for escalating communal conflicts in India exists when vegetarian nationalism targets Muslims. It fosters an "us versus them" mentality that challenges the peaceful coexistence of diverse populations and erodes the secular fabric of the nation. Vegetarian nationalism harms the lives of those involved in the meat business, particularly many Muslims, by stigmatising the consumption of meat. Increased social discontent and economic marginalisation may result from this.

One of India's most treasured qualities is the variety of its cuisine. Encouraging vegetarianism at the expense of other dietary options weakens the nation's reputation as a melting pot of cuisine and its rich food culture.

Despite its historical roots, vegetarian nationalism in India has become polarising in the modern era. Not all political reasons, such as the emergence of Hindu nationalism, political manipulation, and social and economic variables, are behind the targeted attention on Muslims. This has significant effects on India's economic prosperity, social cohesion, and communal harmony. To address these issues, we must cultivate a more accepting and tolerant culture that values the variety of food preferences among its people and guarantees the financial security of every community.