In an era where we face pressing issues like climate change, economic crises, and space exploration, one would think we’ve moved beyond debating the diet preferences of deities. But, alas, the modern-day intellectuals have brought us back to square one — and by square one, I mean the controversy over whether Shriram was a non-vegetarian.
The recent remarks by mla Jitendra Awhad in Shirdi have once again ignited the fire of cultural discourse. The audacity of suggesting that Lord ram might have had a penchant for non-vegetarian food has caused ripples across the nation. Now, instead of asking the tough questions — like, ‘What can we do to make our education system more robust?’ or ‘How can we promote sustainable agriculture?’ — we’re all caught up in a food debate that nobody can prove and, quite frankly, nobody really cares about.
Let’s take a step back for a moment. Shriram, revered by millions, is a divine figure who transcends petty arguments about chicken or mutton. He is a symbol of strength, virtue, and selflessness, not a character locked in the dietary habits of 14th-century india (if we are to go by mythological timelines). But here we are, with political figures, religious groups, and the ever-ready "social media warriors" locked in an endless discussion over a hypothetical that no one can validate.
Now, let's flip the narrative. Imagine, just for a second, that Lord ram did indeed enjoy a chicken curry. Would that mean Hindus worldwide should revoke their devotion? Would it stop the daily worshippers from chanting "Jai Sri Ram"? Would we rip out all the statues, tear down temples, and erase centuries of history? Absolutely not. But such is the beauty of human ingenuity — if an unfounded comment is made, people will find ways to be outraged.
To those who claim that Awhad’s statement is an attack on Hindu sentiments, perhaps it’s time to take a breath. Our religious icons are meant to inspire love, peace, and morality. What if we channeled that energy into creating a better society rather than throwing tantrums over things that only exist in hypothetical worlds? If Lord Ram’s legacy were to be judged based on something as trivial as his food preferences, well, we might as well start worrying about whether Lord krishna played the flute better than Beethoven.
So, while the dogs bark (as they always do), let’s remember: The world moves on, the sun sets, and tomorrow we’ll probably be discussing whether the moon has a vegetarian diet, too.
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