ABSTRACT
The chapter critically reflects on a major area of animal ethics and ecological crisis facing humanity from the comparative perspective of moral thinking on animals in Hinduism and Jainism. It argues that there is a global complicity at work in the suffering of animals. This extends from industries (dairy, meat, by-products), supermarket chains, pharmaceutical companies, consumer palate, animal trials, medical and biotech inventions, bilateral trade treaties and commodification in the free market economy. Statistics show how animal species have radically declined and genetically altered or farmed to meet human needs and luxurious omnivore habits. The chapter examines the ecological threat and the devastating consequences of the continuing depletion of animal species driven by industries and lifestyle preferences that remain blinkered to the moral issue of dependence on animal flesh and related produce or products. Finally, the Indic principle of ahiṃsā (non-injury), modified by Gandhi, is drawn upon to suggest some alternatives to engendering bio-species justice. However, some developments in post-Gandhian (modern) India have raised the alarm bells on how India might remain a model or exemplary protector of animals as was the case in, say, the time of Emperor Aśoka and the Jaina sangha.
