Go Spiritual Founder says the higher ideals of Hindu and Sanatani spirituality are rooted in Ahimsa, Karuna and Sattvic living; advocates vegetarianism through awareness and compassion rather than force
Mumbai/New Delhi: Amid the continuing debate over non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja, Sonu Tyagi, Founder of Go Spiritual and Approach Entertainment, has called for the controversy to move beyond politics, personalities and regional confrontation and become a deeper conversation about Hindu spirituality, Sanatani values, Ahimsa, animal compassion and conscious food choices.
The controversy has sparked a wider discussion around food, faith and regional traditions, particularly in West Bengal. While some have appealed to devotees to avoid fish and meat during the sacred festival period, others have defended Bengal’s distinctive religious, cultural and culinary traditions. Tyagi said India’s diversity should be respected, but the debate also provides an opportunity to reflect on the deeper purpose of spirituality.
“Hindu spirituality teaches compassion. If we worship the Divine Mother, why not show compassion to all living beings? Durga Puja and Navratri celebrate Shakti, devotion and the victory of good over evil. Worship should not end at a temple or pandal. If our devotion is meaningful, it should gradually make us kinder and more compassionate towards human beings, animals and nature,” Tyagi said.
Tyagi clarified that Go Spiritual does not want to enter into personal or political arguments involving any religious leader, politician, organisation or party. Instead, the organisation wants to focus on a larger spiritual question: whether faith and religious practice can inspire people to reduce avoidable suffering and live more consciously.
According to Tyagi, Hinduism and Sanatan Dharma encompass diverse traditions, customs and philosophical schools, and food habits have varied across communities and historical periods. However, acknowledging that diversity should not prevent Hindus and Sanatanis from discussing the higher spiritual ideals of Ahimsa, Daya, Karuna, Sattva, self-restraint and reverence for life.
“History may tell us what different people ate or practised at different points in time, but Dharma should also inspire us to think about what we ought to become. Spirituality is a journey towards greater awareness, purity, self-restraint and compassion. For Go Spiritual, vegetarianism is a natural expression of that journey,” Tyagi said.
He pointed to the importance of Sattvic food, vegetarian Prasad and vegetarian practices followed across numerous Hindu temples, Vaishnava traditions and spiritual institutions. Go Spiritual has previously argued that selective historical examples of meat consumption or animal sacrifice should not overshadow the extensive traditions of Ahimsa, compassion and vegetarian living within Hindu and Sanatani thought.
Tyagi stressed, however, that vegetarianism should never become a source of ego or moral superiority. “Being vegetarian does not automatically make someone a better human being, and eating non-vegetarian food does not define somebody’s entire character. But we should still ask a simple question: when we have the possibility of nourishing ourselves without taking an animal’s life, why should we not consider the more compassionate choice?”
For Tyagi, Ahimsa extends beyond avoiding violence between human beings. Animals experience pain, fear and an instinct to survive, and spirituality should encourage greater sensitivity towards their suffering. “An animal’s life is greater than a few moments of taste. We cannot eliminate every form of harm from human existence, but that cannot become an excuse for avoidable suffering,” he said.
At the same time, Tyagi strongly opposed imposing vegetarianism through intimidation or cultural confrontation. “We advocate; we do not impose. We appeal; we do not threaten. If we speak about Ahimsa while insulting another human being, we contradict the philosophy we claim to represent. You cannot create compassion through force; you can awaken it through awareness.”
Tyagi also cautioned against making food a test of religious identity. “No food debate should become a certificate of who is or is not a Hindu or Sanatani. Hindu and Sanatani traditions are far too vast and profound to be reduced to somebody’s plate. Respecting cultural diversity and advocating vegetarianism are not contradictory. We can respect people while encouraging them to consider more compassionate choices.”
Referring to Durga Puja, Tyagi said worship of Maa Durga as the Divine Mother offers a powerful opportunity for introspection. “When we seek the Divine Mother’s protection, strength and compassion, can that feeling of motherhood also expand towards other living beings? True spirituality should enlarge the circle of our compassion. India does not need another angry argument over food. India needs a compassionate conversation.”
Sonu Tyagi is an award-winning writer, director and producer and the Founder of Go Spiritual and Approach Entertainment Group. With more than two decades of experience in media, communications, advertising, films and entertainment, Tyagi has been advocating spirituality, humanity, vegetarianism, non-violence, animal compassion and mental health awareness. He believes spirituality should be reflected not merely through rituals but through the way people treat fellow human beings, animals and nature.
Go Spiritual is a Spiritual and Wellness Organization working across spirituality, philanthropy and social causes, spiritual awareness, mental health and wellness, Ayurveda and holistic living, spiritual tourism, media and events. Through its Go Veg campaign, the organisation promotes vegetarianism, Ahimsa and animal compassion through awareness rather than coercion. Its media initiative, Go Spiritual News Magazine & App, focuses on spirituality, wellness, humanity, conscious living and positive social change.
Approach Entertainment Group, founded by Sonu Tyagi, operates across entertainment, communications and media. Approach Entertainment works in Celebrity & Talent Management, Film Productions, Advertising & Corporate Film Productions, Film Marketing, Events and Entertainment Marketing, while Approach Communications is an award-winning PR, Digital and Integrated Communications Agency. The group also includes Approach Bollywood, a Bollywood & Entertainment Newswire, Portal & App.
For More Information: Approach Entertainment & Approach Communications
9820965004 / 9716962242 Email: info@approachentertainment.com
Visit us at www.approachentertainment.com & www.sonutyagi.com
