‘Freedom for animals’ was the motto which led more than 500 activists across 10 cities in the country to observe Satyagraha on Sunday, 2nd October, in an event organized by Vegan India Movement (a pan-India collective of grassroots animal liberation activists).
The satyagrahis fasted for 12+ hours, and walked with placards from their homes to a central location, in remembrance of trillions of animals who are exploited for food, clothing, experimentation, entertainment, etc.
When asked why they have chosen to call this event a Satyagraha, Dilip, one of the organizers, shared, “The first Satyagraha that took place in India was observed as a fight for human freedom; this is why our event is titled ‘Satyagraha 2.0’. This is an attempt to highlight that even in the 21st century, animals are suffering unimaginable horrors at the hands of human beings for our pleasure. Going vegan can help end this violence. Veganism is not a diet choice, but a social justice movement that recognizes animals as sentient beings as opposed to commodities and involves avoiding the usage of all animal products. We wanted to draw attention to this important fact through the event.”
Lalitha, another organizer, added, “Mahatma Gandhi advocated this non-violent resistance against the British rule, for freedom from a life of subjugation, to highlight that we are not slaves to be owned by anyone. Non-human animals deserve the same freedom.”
In Bangalore, the event was organized by Bengaluru Brigade for Animal Liberation. Activists fasted, did a Satygaraha walk from their homes to Brigade Road, and at the gathering, they delivered speeches, recited poems, and sang songs on animal rights. They also spoke to the public about Veganism.
Through these activities, they encouraged the masses to withdraw from animal exploitation by adopting a vegan lifestyle i.e., not consuming any animal products, boycotting cosmetics and other products tested on animals, opting for fashion free from animal skin, not visiting circuses and zoos, etc. A video demonstration also presented the reality of animal abuse in various industries.
“Imagine being born just to be tortured & killed for someone’s wants. That’s the story of the billions of land and marine animals that we yearly exploit for human pleasures. Had these victims been humans, we would’ve called this the worst ever barbarity. And, unless one avoids animal-based choices, he or she is amongst those causing this barbarity”, says Arjun, a doctor and activist.
Crores of vegans around the world testify to the fact that one can live healthily and happily without meat, eggs, milk, honey, leather, wool, silk, fur, circuses, zoos and so on. “When we can live happily and healthily without harming others, why don’t we?”, asked Sophie, a teacherand activist.
