Aapne Shakahari Manso

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Aapne Shakahari Manso" (Are We Vegetarian Humans?) by Atul Doshi, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Aapne Shakahari Manso (આપણે શાકાહારી માણસો) Author: Atul Doshi Publisher: Atul Doshi

Overall Theme: The book critiques the common understanding of vegetarianism in India, arguing that the prevailing dairy industry practices and consumption of dairy products are deeply intertwined with animal cruelty and, therefore, compromise the core principles of ahimsa (non-violence). It aims to provoke thought and encourage a deeper examination of our dietary choices and their ethical implications.

Key Arguments and Content:

1. The Illusion of True Vegetarianism: The book questions whether people who consume dairy products are truly practicing ahimsa. It suggests that while the intention might be to avoid meat, the dairy industry's practices inadvertently support and perpetuate animal suffering, which is a violation of ahimsa.

2. The "White Revolution" and its Dark Side: The book traces the history of India's dairy industry, highlighting how the "White Revolution" (started around 1970) led to a massive increase in milk production. However, it argues that this "progress" came at a great cost to animals.

   • Shift from Family Member to Commodity: Animals, once considered family members, are now treated as mere commodities or machines for milk production. They are identified by numbers branded onto them rather than names.
   • Unnatural Breeding and Health: Animals are subjected to repeated artificial insemination to maximize milk yield, which drastically shortens their lifespan. The natural cycle of life and death is disrupted.
   • Confinement and Lack of Freedom: Animals are no longer allowed to graze freely in open fields. They are confined to single locations.
   • Hormonal and Chemical Abuse: To increase milk production, animals are injected with hormones like Oxytocin and other chemicals. Crude methods are used to extract more milk.
   • Separation of Mother and Calf: Calves are immediately separated from their mothers after birth to ensure all milk is available for human consumption, causing immense distress to both.
   • Exploitation of Male Calves: Male calves, once used for farming, are now often slaughtered for veal due to the decline of bullock-powered agriculture.
   • "Use and Throw" Mentality: Animals are treated as disposable. Once they stop producing milk, they are sold to slaughterhouses.

3. Dairy Industry's Link to Meat and Leather Industries: The book strongly asserts that the dairy industry is not separate from the meat and leather industries.

   • Profit Motive: Foreign dairy companies established in India are reported to investigate meat and leather export potential first. Companies like Amul are cited as acknowledging that meat is a significant income source alongside milk.
   • Interdependence: The growth of the dairy sector fuels the meat and leather industries. The demand for milk directly leads to the increased slaughter of animals, especially when they cease milk production or are male calves.
   • Export Statistics: India is a major exporter of meat and leather. The increasing production and export of these items correlate with the growth of the dairy sector, indicating a direct link.

4. Health Concerns with Modern Dairy Products: The book raises serious concerns about the quality and health impact of modern milk and dairy products:

   • Deteriorating Quality: The excessive use of drugs and chemicals in animals compromises milk quality.
   • Adulteration: A significant percentage of milk in India is found to be adulterated with harmful substances like urea, caustic soda, detergent, etc., leading to severe health issues like cancer.
   • Nutritional Value: The book argues that milk is a complete food for calves, not humans. It questions the necessity of milk consumption for humans and highlights that sufficient protein and calcium can be obtained from plant-based sources.
   • Health Risks: Milk consumption is linked to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and lactose intolerance.
   • Antibiotic Resistance: The overuse of antibiotics in animals leads to their presence in milk, contributing to antibiotic resistance in humans, a major global health concern.

5. Environmental Impact: The dairy industry's practices have severe environmental consequences:

   • Land and Water Usage: A large portion of land and water resources are used for animal agriculture, contributing to food scarcity and hunger.
   • Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Animal agriculture is a significant contributor to methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas responsible for climate change.

6. Critique of Government Policies and Laws: The book criticizes government policies that seem to support the dairy industry's growth while also having laws for animal protection, creating a contradiction and a "double standard." The laws are often seen as superficial and poorly enforced.

7. Call to Action and Solutions: The book urges readers to reconsider their choices and suggests alternatives:

   • Veganism: Adopting a vegan lifestyle, which excludes all animal products (milk, dairy, honey, leather, silk, wool), is presented as the most ethical and impactful solution.
   • Reducing Dairy Consumption: Even a gradual reduction in milk and dairy product consumption is encouraged.
   • Exploring Dairy Alternatives: Using plant-based alternatives like soy milk, almond milk, etc.
   • Conscious Consumerism: Being mindful of the ingredients in everyday products (cosmetics, soaps, toothpaste, etc.) and choosing cruelty-free options.
   • Ethical Investing: Avoiding investment in companies that promote animal exploitation.
   • Raising Awareness: Spreading awareness about the issues and advocating for change.

8. Challenging Excuses: The book directly addresses common excuses people make for continuing dairy consumption, such as "my individual choice won't make a difference" or "it's a centuries-old habit." It refutes these by emphasizing collective action and the need to change habits when they cause harm.

9. The True Meaning of Ahimsa: The book concludes by reiterating that true ahimsa extends beyond not eating meat to encompass a compassionate and non-violent approach to all living beings. It calls for a transition from vegetarianism to a more comprehensive vegan lifestyle to truly uphold the principles of ahimsa.

In essence, "Aapne Shakahari Manso" is a powerful exposé of the ethical, health, and environmental costs associated with the modern dairy industry, challenging readers to align their actions with their stated values of non-violence and compassion.