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Report explodes myth that Gujarat is vegetarian

Sheela Bhatt and D Patel in Ahmedabad

The latest report of the Animal Husbandry Department of the Gujarat government has exploded the myth that the state is "by and large vegetarian".

According to the report, published by department director Dr S T Pandya, more than three lakh animals are slaughtered to fulfil an increasing demand for mutton in 31 state-approved slaughterhouses.

The report said that 1,06357 sheep, 1,56156 goats, 4,1758 buffaloes and 2470 other animals are slaughtered legally. The department estimated regular meat-eaters at 10 million, while 5.5 million were occasional eaters.

The report claims that demand for meat was increasing.

Ahmedabad leads in consumption of meat. Around 1200 stalls serve fried eggs, while 700 dhabas and restaurants serve mutton. As per official records, 4,2033 sheep are slaughtered each year in Ahmedabad-based slaughterhouses itself.

Religious groups have regularly demanded the closure of slaughterhouses. They have also objected to the illegal slaughter of animals, considered a big business in Gujarat.

A Jain group, in a representation to the government, stated that thousands of cows are illegally slaughtered. According to P M Sonani, an expert in animal husbandry, "The Shanker's (a hybrid cow) milk-producing capability has decreased substantially. This has led to an increase in illegal slaughter."

According to Achut Yagnik, a social scientist and scholar, "It's a myth perpetuated since centuries that Gujarat is vegetarian, peace-loving and non-violent. In the 11th century, King Siddharaj, the first ruler of Gujarat, adopted Kumarpal, who came under the influence of the great Jain saint Hemchandracharya and converted to Jainism. This set off a trend of mass-conversion and vegetarianism. During his time, Gujarat flourished in trade and Gujaratis were pioneers in international trade. The rich left the state first and most rich traders were vegetarian and religious. They were from the Bania community. Outside Gujarat, the trading class became identified with Gujarat and that image stuck, though statistics show a different picture."

According to the 1991 census, the state has 14 per cent adivasis, 11 per cent Muslims, 20 per cent Koli Patels and seven per cent dalits, who eat meat. Zinga is the staple diet of the 15 per cent population living along the coastline. It's an irony that though 67 per cent of the state's population has never been vegetarian Gujaratis are generally known as a dal bhat (cooked rice) eating community.

Even among Brahmins (three per cent), Baniyas (four per cent), Patels (16 per cent) and Rajputs (five per cent), only seven per cent Baniyas and Brahmins can be labelled vegetarian. There are exceptions among the Patels and Rajputs, who traditionally enjoy non-vegetarian cuisine.

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