The Dark Side of the Indian Milk Business
- Rajesh Raman
- May 5, 2024
- 3 min read
After spending seven years away from milk, and milk products, I have concluded that milk is nothing but a myth, a big lie, fed to gullible minds that it is an essential element for human health. Now the question is, why I chose not to consume dairy products, well, the answer is very simple, my greed for milk has serious consequences on the lives of our fellow living beings.
The Indian milk industry is often portrayed as the backbone of rural India's economy. With people making milk as an essential part of their lives, there lies a grim reality of exploitation, suffering, and death. In this blog, I will dig into the hidden cruelties of the Indian dairy business and explore why making ethical choices by avoiding dairy and meat products is not only critical for animal welfare but also for our moral conscience.

The Suffering Behind the Scenes:
Contrary to popular belief, the dairy industry in India is not a sanctuary of happiness for animals. Buffaloes and cows are subjected to cruel practices such as keeping the animals tied, confinement in cramped and unhygienic conditions, and brutal treatment during transportation and slaughter. Male calves, considered economically unviable, are either abandoned to die or sent for slaughter, perpetuating a cycle of suffering and death.
The Plight of Cows:
Cows, worshipped in Indian culture as sacred beings, face a tragic fate in the dairy industry. Once their milk production declines, they are often abandoned by their owners, left to roam the streets in search of food and shelter. Without proper care, most of them succumb to starvation, disease, or accidents. It is a painful betrayal of the reverence they are supposed to receive.
The Fate of Male Calves:
The fate of male calves born into the dairy industry is even more disturbing. Considered a byproduct of milk production, they are seen as liabilities rather than living beings deserving of compassion. Many are sold to slaughterhouses or left to die without mercy, their lives deemed disposable in the pursuit of profit.
The Fate of Buffaloes:
The plight of buffaloes in the Indian dairy industry is a harrowing tale of exploitation and cruelty. Beyond enduring the relentless milking for their milk, their male calves are callously treated as mere commodities, sold for their meat and soft leather within days of birth. Once the female buffaloes cease to be profitable, their fate is equally grim. Transported to slaughterhouses, they endure torturous journeys in overcrowded trucks, suffering broken limbs and suffocation along the way.
Choosing Compassion:
As consumers, we have the power to make a difference. By choosing to abstain from dairy products, we can reduce the demand for cruelty in the dairy industry. Opting for plant-based alternatives not only spares countless animals from suffering but also promotes a more sustainable and compassionate lifestyle.
However, our journey towards ethical consumption does not end with avoiding dairy products. The meat industry, closely associated with dairy production, perpetuates similar atrocities against animals. By eliminating meat from our diets, we further contribute to reducing the demand for animal suffering and environmental degradation.
Conclusion:
The reality of the Indian dairy business is far from the ideal imagery often described in advertisements. It is a harsh world of exploitation, suffering, and death for countless animals. As conscious consumers, we must educate ourselves about the cruelties of the milk business and make ethical choices that align with our values of compassion and justice. By embracing a plant-based lifestyle and advocating for the welfare of animals, we can create a brighter and more humane future for all beings.
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