A large forest was torn down to make a helipad for a visiting minister, who is a strict vegetarian. The mountain was sold to miners, who are strict vegetarians. An air-conditioned hall was built for monks who are strict vegetarians. Every vegetarian insisted they were non-violent. They never saw the trees, the insects, the worms, the rats, the birds, killed for their comfort. Violence was not their immediate experience. It had simply been outsourced to poor labourers. Vedic scriptures are, however, not so blind.

In Veda, himsa, or violence, is seen as an essential part of life. Life needs food. Food demands violence. The food chain is made of predators and prey. Web of life is made of killers who are eaters. Human culture is built on violence. Orchards, gardens, fields and industries consume nature.