The internet is a breeding ground for passionate opinions, and food is no exception. A recent social media post by vegetarian food blogger Nalini Unagar has ignited a fiery debate between vegetarians and non-vegetarians.
Nalini, proudly declaring herself a “Proud Vegetarian,” shared a picture of her meal – simple dal and rice – with the caption, “I’m proud to be a vegetarian. My plate is free from tears, cruelty and guilt.” The post, which has garnered over 3.7 million views and 4.6K comments, quickly went viral, becoming a battleground for dietary ideologies.
While many applauded Nalini’s vegetarianism, the comment section was flooded with non-vegetarians defending their choices. Many argued that food choices are personal and shouldn’t be judged, while others invoked the food chain, asking if plants don’t experience pain.
“It’s better to approach food from our own health and wellbeing being point of view than as a woke/activist ideology,” commented one user. Another added, “Well, the wrong analogy to a great extent. The food chain is defined and its a choice. Ye extreme Hogya to justify veg eating lol.”
The debate escalated with users pointing out the inherent contradictions in Nalini’s post. One user remarked, “You still made plants to cry! Please don’t eat anything so that you can’t harm anyone.” Another user sarcastically quipped, “That’s awesome, Nalini Ji ! My plate’s full of veggies too… but let’s not forget, onions shed their own tears from failing to thrive in the soil, rice are just the lifeless bodies of paddies, and those potatoes? They were once …….hopeful little spuds dreaming of becoming fries! Sometimes we make choices, but that doesn’t mean we’re always omniscient or perfect.”
The crux of the debate lies in the question of whether plants feel pain. One user argued, “It looks delicious but is it free of tears, cruelty & guilt? Even plants are living beings basics of science, they also cry when they are cut. They grow well when we talk to them, so they have emotions, feelings & brain also. So I don’t get your point at all.”
Nalini’s post has sparked a conversation that transcends mere dietary preference. It raises questions about the ethical implications of food choices, the role of compassion in our dietary decisions, and the complex relationship humans have with the natural world. Whether you’re a vegetarian, a non-vegetarian, or somewhere in between, Nalini’s post has undoubtedly fueled the ongoing debate about food and its impact on our lives.