An online petition seeking a ban on sale of vegetables during Bakra-Eid has created a sensation in the social media. The move comes after the meat ban across a few States during a Jain festival that created a storm.
The online petition, by a Bengaluru-based filmmaker Falal Faisal, says that plants that grow vegetables too have life and feeling. “I’d like to call for a ban across the country on vegetables of all kinds on Bakra-Eid because plants have feelings too,” Falal said.
“If you are someone who is a vegetarian and doesn’t eat anything but the offshoot of plants, I bet you can starve for a day. Fasting is good for you. We do it for a month every year,” he said, adding, “If the demand of banning vegetable consumption is unreasonable my alternative demand is that everyone in the country, irrespective of religious beliefs partakes in the consumption of mutton (biryani) on that day. You can come over to my house. I don’t mind sharing. We have lots.”
So far over 1,400 people have signed the petition and want a consideration from the Government.
The petition has been put on change.org. This platform is a ‘petition website’ which is operated by Change.org, Inc, an American certified B Corporation. Change.org entertains petitions related to some important social topics like economic and criminal justice, human rights, education, environmental protection, animal’s rights, health, and sustainable food.
“With the meat ban being enforced on us due to various religious reasons, I think it is only rightful for us minorities to have a say.
As a Muslim, I’d like to call for a ban across the country on vegetables of all kinds on Bakra-Eid (September 25, 2015). Because plants have feelings too,” the petition says, adding “Recent reports state that the levels of pesticide present in vegetables is on the rise, which means they are actually harmful for us.”
“You might ask what we might cook our meat with if not vegetables. Or that I might need mashed potatoes on the side of my steak. But it is only a day guys. I bet we can pull through. And think about it. If we don’t eat vegetables for a day, we just have more on the next day. The ban provides for itself. It also gives the hardworking Indian farmers a day of much deserved rest.”