Vegans fast on World Day for Farmed Animals

October 2 is not just celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti, the day is also observed as the ‘World Day for Farmed Animals’. Vegans in the city fasted for a day on Thursday to sensitise people on the plight of cruelty meted out to animals.

Sejal Parikh of Hyderabad Vegan Group (HVG) says, “Every year about 70 billion land animals are tortured and killed to produce meat, eggs, dairy, leather, wool and other animal products. 2,219 animals are killed every second. It is time people opt for a vegan living. Gandhiji was a strong advocate of non-violence towards animals.” Vegans reject all forms of animal exploitation – for food, clothing or any other purpose by avoiding milk, meat, eggs, honey (substituting them with their plant-based alternatives for taste if desired), wool, leather, fur, pearl, silk and all other animal products.

Saravanan, a software professional and a vegan, says, “Mahatma Gandhi said that the moral progress of a nation could be judged by the way the animals are treated.

By becoming vegan one need not compromise on tasty food. There are several alternative foods available. Almost every dish can be made without animal ingredients including sweets and cakes.”