It felt as though the world had been divided in two, or as if aliens had landed on Earth and divided humanity in half, the moment Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal revealed its plan to cater to vegetarian tastes “pure veg fleet”. We were caught off guard when the internet, saturated with negativity, skillfully shifted the conversation towards caste-based remarks, tailored by hypocrites aka leftists.
To solve for their dietary preferences, we are today, launching a “Pure Veg Mode" along with a “Pure Veg Fleet” on Zomato, for customers who have a 100% vegetarian dietary preference. pic.twitter.com/xzV9y9IQbU
— Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) March 19, 2024
When we venture into the bustling streets of India, it’s common to encounter numerous hotels and restaurants bearing banners proclaiming “Veg Only,” with customers bustling inside establishments. Amidst this, a popular sentiment among the youth is the saying, “Biryani is not merely a dish but an emotion,” highlighting the deep connection people feel to certain foods. Interestingly, non-vegetarian establishments, regardless of the religious background of their owners—be they Hindu, Muslim, or Christian—often bear the ‘Halal’ tag, showcasing respect for minority faiths. But leftists go bonkers and hell is let loose when some one utters or even prefers a pure-vegetarian hygiene.
This prompts a critical inquiry into whether vegetarianism is unfairly marginalized or intentionally neglected or intentionally targeted.
Actually this behavior is nothing but simply bullying individuals based on their dietary choices. Take myself, for instance: I opt to dine at establishments where hygiene standards are maintained and where staff present themselves well to customers. Usually, I tend to opt for vegetarian dishes in most situations, which leads others to perceive me as a vegetarian. However, I consume non-vegetarian food when it’s prepared at home. Hailing from southern Tamil Nadu, I have a preference for rich, gravy-based dishes, unlike the oil-laden eggplant dishes commonly served in the northern regions, which I disdain. I adamantly refuse to consume pork, beef, or fish due to an instinctive aversion, to the extent that even the mention of these foods induces a feeling of nausea. That’s my preference. Now, what will you call my dietary preferences? I’m wondering what will you label me as? Will that be based on caste or religious affiliation, or in derogatory terms?
People often imply that there’s a correlation between adhering to a vegetarian diet means belonging to the upper caste, while associating meat consumption with lower castes or specific religious groups. Personally, I find this notion perplexing and wonder where such ideas originated. For how long will they continue to echo the same old outrageous rhetoric.
Surprisingly, the Halal Research Council asserts that for food to be certified as “Halal”, it must be slaughtered by Muslims, done so in the name of Allah, and should not have any contact with Haram food. Additionally, it stipulates that Halal and non-Halal meat should never be cooked together, and serving utensils must be kept separate. However, the so called ‘Pseudo-Liberals’ considers labeling of food as “Pure veg” is casteist and discriminatory, and labeling something as “100% Halal” is seen inclusive. Is this not hypocrisy?
And guess what? Many countries separate halal and non-halal food. Now, that’s not discrimination?
While I was angry with Zomato for complicating things with the Red/Green delivery chain + enabling discrimination, I also saw some people talk about microwave ovens, caste, Halal etc.
Let me tell you. It doesn't just happen in India. Halal/Non-Halal difference exists worldwide. pic.twitter.com/RAwDdhjnzX
— Saikiran Kannan | 赛基兰坎南 (@saikirankannan) March 20, 2024
Zomato having a dedicated fleet is akin to a hotel chain opening a pure-veg restaurant, oh which by the way, are a plenty. Renowned vegetarian chains like Hotel Saravana Bhavan, Adyar Ananda Bhavan, Haldiram, or Bikanervala, vegetarians who eat outside prefer pure-veg restaurants where there is no mixing of vessels between veg and non-veg dishes.
Recent data indicates that India maintains its position as the country with the highest number of vegetarians globally, with approximately 26% of the population following a vegetarian diet, according to World Atlas. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), conducted from 2019 to 2021, further highlights that one in every three Indians identifies as vegetarian, often relying on dal and paneer as primary protein sources. Various religious communities, including Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, and Muslims, choose to embrace a vegetarian lifestyle, reflecting their personal preferences and beliefs.
In instances like the ongoing debates in Tamil Nadu concerning beef consumption, individuals often advocate for the principle of personal choice regarding dietary habits. Just as individuals assert, “Don’t judge me, or dictate me on what to be on my plate,” the same thing applies to those crying foul over pure veg fleets. Don’t impose your stupid conflict perspectives for your nasty divisive politics. It is essential not to impose judgments or restrictions on what individuals choose to include on their plates or their dietary preferences.
Satheesh is a freelance writer.