The world believes that India is a predominantly vegetarian country and this belief would have only been strengthened by our Prime Minister, who seems to make sure that his frequent foreign jaunts do not in any way disturb his vegetarian food regimen. Nope, no sign of non-vegetarian food when the PM is around.
Vegetarianism, it is often assumed is the norm in India, encouraged or imposed by ideologies of religion and caste.
However, a nationwide survey, conducted by the Office of Registrar General & Census Commissioner, reveals otherwise.
According to the sample registration system (SRS) baseline survey 2014 released by the registrar general of India, 71 percent of Indians over the age of 15 are non-vegetarian. The percentage of non-vegetarians across the country however has dropped from 75 percent in 2004.
The data shows that Telangana has the highest number of non-vegetarians with 98.8 percent men and 98.6 percent women enjoying their meat, fowl and fish.
Among the other states with a high non-vegetarian population are, West Bengal (98.55%) Andhra Pradesh (98.25%), Odisha (97.35%) and Kerala (97%).
Rajasthan has the highest number of vegetarians: 73.2 percent men and 76.6 percent women. Haryana follows next with 68.5 percent men and 70 percent women on a vegetarian diet. And in Punjab, 65.5 percent of the male population and 68 percent of the female population eat vegetarian food.
