Is Milk and Paneer Truly Vegetarian? Social Media Debate Sparks Controversy
Following a post by Dr. Sylvia Karpagam, who asserted that milk and paneer are not vegetarian because they are derived from animals, like chicken, fish, and beef, a contentious discussion broke out on social media. This claim contradicted the conventional wisdom that dairy products are vegetarian, sparking heated debates on the internet.
Dr. Sunita Sayamgaru started the issue by posting a photo of a vegetarian dish on X (previously Twitter) that included paneer, moong dal, salad, coconut, walnuts, and kheer. She characterised it as a vegetarian dish that was high in fibre, protein, and other nutrients.
“Paneer and milk are not’vegetarian,” Dr. Karpagam wrote when reposting the photograph. They are foods derived from animals, much as beef, fish, and chicken.
Supporters of conventional vegetarianism and those who disagreed with the categorisation of dairy products engaged in a heated internet debate as a result.
Is Dairy Suitable for Vegetarianism? Professionals and the Public’s Response
Many people disagreed with Dr. Karpagam’s position, stating that:
- Milk is different from non-vegetarian foods because it does not include animal cells or tissues;
- No animal is slaughtered to create milk or paneer, unlike meat eating.
According to Hinduism, milk and dairy products are sacred and sattvic (pure) in traditional Indian diets.
A user responded:
“Drinking milk or eating paneer doesn’t involve killing any animal, so how can it be non-vegetarian?”
Another person added: “What about breast milk for infants if you claim that milk isn’t vegetarian? Would you use the same reasoning?
Milk vs. Egg: Dr. Karpagam Offers Another Perspective
Taking the argument a step further, Dr. Karpagam asked: “Why is milk categorised as vegetarian if eggs are regarded as non-vegetarian despite chickens not being killed?”
More debate resulted from this analogy; some accused her of deceiving the public, while others thought she was only attempting to elicit a response.
The Cultural and Scientific Viewpoint: Is Milk Vegetarian?
Opinion of Science:
- Although it comes from cows, buffaloes, and goats, milk is devoid of animal flesh, blood, or tissue.
- Made using vegetarian coagulants like vinegar or lemon juice, paneer is a dairy product.
- Dairy does not include animal flesh, whereas meat-based meals do.
Religious and Cultural Perspective:
- Dairy is considered a sattvic food in Hinduism, meaning it is pure and holy.
- The vegetarian position of dairy in Indian culture is further supported by Lord Krishna’s fondness for butter and milk products.
In conclusion, paneer and milk are still vegetarian.
In Indian customs, dietary recommendations, and scientific classifications, milk and its derivatives are still categorised as vegetarian despite the continuous controversy. Dairy is still frequently considered as vegetarian, despite the objections of certain vegan advocates.
