Why Should We NOT Feel Proud About the World's First Vegetarian City?

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 19 July 2024 Jainism Believes in Pluralism (Anekaantvaad or Syaadvaad in Prakrit). In Fact, Pluralism Is Jainism's Greatest Contribution to A Conflict-Ridden World. According to Anekaantvaad, Everyone Is Right from His or Her Perspective and No Ideology Is Absolute. ------ This pertains to the news that Palitana, a city in the Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, has made history by becoming the first city in the world to ban the sale and consumption of non-vegetarian food. This landmark decision reflects the strong influence of Jainism and its principles in the region. Non-veg food is now illegal in Palitana, emphasizing the city's commitment to vegetarianism and reverence for life. What an irony! Jainism believes in Pluralism (Anekaantvaad or Syaadvaad in Prakrit). In fact, Pluralism is Jainism's greatest contribution to a conflict-ridden world. According to Anekaantvaad, everyone is right from his or her perspective and no ideology is absolute. Even Truth is relative. Going by this, even those who have been eating non-veg are also right. So, why should Jains insist on a blanket ban on non-vegetarian food? What will happen to those whose livelihood hinges on the slaughtering and skinning of animals? How'll they survive? Who has given Jains and their monks the right to deprive people of their palate, plate and profession? This overzealous edict to ban non-vegetarian food will have far-reaching (negative) ramifications in the days to come. Jains may argue that every life being precious, they have a moral right to protect animals and Pluralism or Syaadvaad doesn't apply here. Very true. But they must also know that Emperor Chandragupta Maurya, who embraced Jainism in his later years and became a follower of Bhadrabahu, a monk of the Digambara order of Jainism, never condemned those who were non-vegetarians because it was pristine Jainism that understood and practised the all-encompassing and most liberal (social) philosophy of ' Each to his/their own.' One has a right to one's personal preferences, even harmless idiosyncrasies. What one eats is one's personal as well as private choice. Terapanthi Jain Acharya Tulsi refused to join Jain 'crusaders' seeking total ban on non-veg at Ladnun and nearby district Nagaur in western Rajasthan in 1967. It's worthwhile to mention that Ladnun is the centre of Terapanth sect of Jainism as Acharya Tulsi was born at Ladnun and it also has Jain Vishva Bharati University. Yet, 'modern' Jains have a proclivity to make a fetish of their dietary idiosyncrasies and they stretch things a trifle too far. This food fanaticism, rather, belligerent vegetarianism must be condemned by all. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/proud-world-vegetarian-anekaantvaad/d/132739 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism