Vegetarian blogger's "cruelty-free food" post sparks heated debate online

A social media post from food blogger Nalini Unagar has ignited an intense online debate over vegetarianism versus non-vegetarianism.

Sharing her thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), Unagar posted a picture of her meal, which included rice and dal, with the caption, "I'm proud to be a vegetarian. My plate is free from tears, cruelty, and guilt."

Her post quickly drew significant backlash, accumulating over 3.5 million views, and prompted heated responses from many users who accused her of being judgmental and insensitive. The majority of comments expressed strong disagreement, with some defending non-vegetarian diets as a natural choice.

One user questioned her perspective, writing, "Why make it about cruelty? Everyone has their own preferences. Would you tell a carnivorous animal to be vegetarian?" The user continued, emphasizing that both plants and animals play a role in nature’s cycle. In response, Unagar argued that animals suffer more pain than plants, highlighting the emotional and physical distress animals endure.

Another user voiced frustration, saying, "There's nothing to be proud of. You can hold your beliefs, but don’t paint the other side as cruel. Your attitude is more harmful than a non-vegetarian diet."

Many users called for coexistence, with one stating, "Why can’t we just be thankful for any food on our plates? Live and let live." Another pointed out nutritional concerns, saying, "Your 'pride' has led to many people becoming unhealthy due to an excessive reliance on carbohydrates."

In a twist, several non-vegetarian users responded by sharing pictures of their meals, expressing pride in their food choices, further fueling the debate.