International Jain Conference 1985 3rd Conference

Author(s): Satish Jain, Kamalchand Sogani
Publisher: Ahimsa International

Page 133

Vegetarianism
Frankly Speaking......
Violence against defenceless animals remains the greatest indictment of the human race. Our so-called modern civilization has perfected the most abominable and despicable ways of exploiting the Animal world. At no time in history of world have animals been treated as cruelly as they are today.
Shri Nitin Mehta
Just one example is sufficient to prove my point-as if there was not enough to eat, people in certain parts of the world have developed a love of frog's legs-and until recently India was a willing supplier of this 'delicacy'. In this terrible situation who else can be expected to take up this fight against barbarism but the followers of Lord Mahavira?
Why are such a powerful and Influential people silent in reply to the call of Ahimsa ?
It is well known that in this land of Dharma and Ahimsa, meat eating is spreading fast. Our youths are being brain-washed in to ape-ing all that is negative in western way of life. Jains must mobilise their resources and drive back this horror of violence towards defenceless animals. Let the Jains 'buy out' those involved in the frog trade and re-employ them usefully somewhere else. Let the whole fish-killing industry be re-employed somewhere else. Let the slaughter of cows be stopped immediately throughout India. I am told that even during the time of Akbar, Jains managed to halt the slaughter of the cow for a certain time. The Jain Community can bring about change if they wish to. Be on your guard :--
The meat industry in the West is extremely rich and powerful. Indian people should expect the international 'fast-food' chains to come to India very soon-if they are not there already. Money without morals is the motto of many involved in meat trade. The Jain Community should be vigilant and try to ensure that the Indian people do not 'get hooked' on Western fast foods'-hamburgers, beef burgers etc.
Growth of vegetarianism in the West
Millions of people in the West are giving up their meat diet and a growing number of them are working day and night to reduce the suffering of animals. I