NEW DELHI: A debate erupted on social media after Dr Sylvia Karpagam, working editor of the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics, questioned the classification of milk and paneer as vegetarian foods.
The discussion began when Dr Sunita Sayammagar shared a photo of a thali, describing it as a “vegetarian meal” rich in protein, good fats, and fiber. Responding to the post, Dr Karpagam challenged the notion that dairy products are vegetarian.
“Also, paneer and milk are not ‘veg.’ They are animal source foods… same like chicken, fish, beef, and all,” she wrote on X.
The thali in question included a mix of vegetables such as cucumber, carrots, and onions, alongside paneer, coconut, and dal.
Her comment sparked a divided response. Many X users argued that since milk and paneer are derived without killing the animal, they remain vegetarian. Others, however, claimed that labeling dairy as vegetarian was influenced by Western dietary classifications.
“No one is killed… to eat paneer or milk,” one X user pointed out.
Another user explained, “Milk products are animal products that no animal has to be killed to get, hence it is indeed vegetarian & not vegan. Any killing or harm to animals happens in the milking setup. ‘Veg’ means vegetarian.”
In response, Dr Karpagam asked, “So why are eggs not ‘veg’?”—a counterpoint that further fueled the debate.
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