PETA India’s ‘Tejas Tofu’ Mascot Distributes Free Tofu Tikka in Amritsar Ahead of World Tofu Day
Ahead of World Tofu Day (26 July), PETA India’s “Tejas Tofu” mascot held a sign reading “Swap Paneer for Tofu! Please, Go Vegan” and “Free Tofu Tikka” outside VR Ambarsar Mall, where he and PETA India supporters handed out delicious protein-packed tofu tikka in response to the growing number of vegans in India who refuse to support separating calves from their mothers for the production of paneer and other dairy foods on western-style factory-like farms.
Cows and buffaloes are devoted mothers who form a strong bond with their calves but in the modern western-style dairy industry, female cows and buffaloes are forcefully impregnated by workers who inserts their arms into the animals’ rectums and force metal rods carrying bull semen into their vaginas. Cows and buffaloes in the industry are used as milk machines until their bodies give out, at which point many are abandoned on the streets or slaughtered. In India, the dairy sector is the primary supplier of cattle to the beef and leather industries.
Not only is tofu generally cheaper than paneer, it is also lower in calories and fat than paneer, contains no cholesterol, and is a good source of protein, iron, and calcium (especially when calcium-set). It’s also vegan and safe for people who are lactose-intolerant — which includes a majority of Indians.
India is internationally admired for its dietary ethic, with a Statista Consumer Insights survey revealing that India leads the world in following a meat-free diet, with 9% of Indians now identifying as vegan (wholly plant-focused). The original vegans are believed to be from an Indian region—a Himalayan tribe was reportedly vegan 5,000 years ago.
Each vegan person spares the lives of up to nearly 200 animals per year. In addition, people who eat vegan food reduce their risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Raising animals for food is also a leading cause of water pollution and land use, and a United Nations report concluded that a global shift towards vegan eating is necessary to combat the worst effects of the climate catastrophe. PETA India offers a free Vegan Starter Kit for those ready to switch.
