Why is India called a vegetarian country when two-thirds of Indians eat meat?

[xyxmt]

This may happen mostly in states like Gujarat and Maharashtra, particularly in Gujarat where meat eating is relatively way lower than any other Indian state. Most restaurants don't even have a non-veg menu.

I belong to a South Indian state and never have I ever eaten veg when I went out with my friends and there is no such thing as Gau Rakshaks in most states of India. I started eating veg on a higher scale only after coming to the US as food is relatively way expensive and I mostly prefer cooking some simple recipes all by myself even though raw chicken is cheaper than veggies in the US

never been to India so I can only talk about state like United States or Canada, i have never met an Indian who would refuse meat dish when he is the only Indian in the company but same person would suddenly turn Vegetarian if another Indian shows up.

I personally prefer Veggie over meat dishes anytime but not the desi veggie dishes, but cooked in ways where each vegetable holds its distinctive taste and not taste like the spices it was burnt in.

 

[Papa Dragon]

never been to India so I can only talk about state like United States or Canada, i have never met an Indian who would refuse meat dish when he is the only Indian in the company but same person would suddenly turn Vegetarian if another Indian shows up.

I personally prefer Veggie over meat dishes anytime but not the desi veggie dishes, but cooked in ways where each vegetable holds its distinctive taste and not taste like the spices it was burnt in.

My experiences were quite different from yours in the US where almost every Indian I met always vouched for meat over veg in the US. Many of my friends who were vegetarians back in India started eating meat (at least chicken) and many over-religious people that I know of never shyed away from eating beef. Infact one of my uncle here hosts a BBQ party every month where they cook exotic seafood and meat

 

[livingdead]

I used to eat out when I started my job but I mostly cook now. Yeah, chicken is relatively cheaper than veggies, so I cook chicken most of the time and shrimp occasionally but if it comes to eating beef, lamb, pork or fish I always eat out.

fish is expensive here too compared to India but rest are ok... I dont eat beef or pork but they dont seem to be that expensive(dont know indian price though).
for me its mostly chicken, then fish(you can get asian imported fish in London), lamb is distant third.(may be once or twice a month)...

never been to India so I can only talk about state like United States or Canada, i have never met an Indian who would refuse meat dish when he is the only Indian in the company but same person would suddenly turn Vegetarian if another Indian shows up.

I personally prefer Veggie over meat dishes anytime but not the desi veggie dishes, but cooked in ways where each vegetable holds its distinctive taste and not taste like the spices it was burnt in.

its true even in india, people who are vegetarian by force(family, caste) do feel conscious in presence of others.... they are not hypocrites as such.
Anyway significant number of Indians are vegetarian by choice... and compared to europeans(some of the eastern euros eat steak every day it seems).. even non-vegetarian Indians are actually vegetarians. This is probably because of cost of meat(which is way higher than veg in India).

 

[Lotus_stalk]

you are quoting adulterated and controversial translations of the scripts . there are many samskript intellectuals who have rightly translated the text , Manu Smriti by Dr Surendra Kumar , you can refer to that book . and if you still believe such adulterated texts , then there is no point of debate .

Some things cannot be hidden, these things are well documented which are easily accessible in internet age. Then there are things which grandparents tell their grand kids. It is best to except truth and apologise, present future India will be dominated by OBC/SC/STs, especially OBCs.

Most Dalits and OBCs don't have any qualms about eating non-veg or beef(buffalo), they avoid Cow slaughter for your sake but eat all other kind of meat. Trying to stop this is like trying to stop the ocean.