When No One's Asking; When No One's Looking.

The Hidden Cost of Convenience: Behind Animal Exploitation

We've all been conditioned to draw lines between the animals we see as deserving of life and those we don't. But that arbitrary divide is built on a lie. We've been taught to ignore the suffering of sentient beings, rationalizing it because it's convenient. Take milk, for example. If we were to face the reality behind its production, it wouldn't be white—it would be red. But most of us choose not to see that.

We can no longer hide behind the excuse of "personal choice" when that choice comes at the expense of another living being's life and freedom. For too long, we've allowed ourselves to ignore the pain and misery we cause, especially in industries like dairy. It's nothing short of hypocrisy: we condemn the exploitation of human beings, but we've conditioned ourselves to believe it's fine to treat animals this way.

The dairy industry is a textbook example of this. Cows live in a constant state of violation—forced to breed, separated from their calves, their bodies abused, only to be sent to slaughter once they're no longer profitable. And this is something we've accepted without question. Why? Because it's become normalized.

The egg industry is no different. The so-called "humane" egg production? A lie. Hens are confined to tiny cages, unable to spread their wings, often mutilated without anesthesia—debeaked, de-toed, and constantly subjected to physical and emotional stress. Their male chicks, seen as "useless" because they can't lay eggs, are ground up alive or gassed to death within hours of hatching. These aren't isolated cases; this is standard practice in the egg industry. And yet, we continue to buy into the false narrative that eggs are somehow a natural or ethical food source. They're not.

It's not just about the cute puppies people buy at pet stores—it's about the systemic abuse that takes place behind the scenes. Dogs in these breeding facilities are often treated as nothing more than commodities. They are confined in cramped cages, forced to breed repeatedly, and denied basic care and affection. Once they're no longer useful for breeding, they're discarded, sometimes euthanized, sometimes left to suffer in neglect. And all of this happens while people continue to pay for "purebred" dogs, ignoring the countless animals already waiting in shelters for a home. 

Veganism isn't about trying to convince others it's a healthier lifestyle or that it's good for the planet. It's about recognizing that animals have inherent rights and dignity, and that their suffering is not justified by our convenience. It's about rejecting the system that profits off their exploitation.

When we frame veganism as a mere lifestyle choice, we're missing the point. The real issue is the systemic violence we allow to happen in the name of tradition, pleasure, and convenience. Veganism isn't an apology for cruelty; it's a stand against it. And if we can't see that, then we're part of the problem.

It's easy to hide behind health benefits or environmental concerns, but at its core, veganism is about the animals. It's about ensuring their right to live without suffering, regardless of how we feel about their utility to us. Any argument that falls short of that is just an excuse.

When we fail to hold ourselves accountable, we allow this violence to continue. The moment we stop recognizing the inherent worth of animals, we're complicit in the system that exploits them. It's time to stop excusing cruelty just because it's "tradition" or "necessary." It's not. And it's never been.

If we truly believe in justice, then it must apply to all sentient beings—not just the ones we find convenient to care for. No one's suffering should be overlooked because it doesn't benefit us directly. When we see the truth, we can no longer pretend we didn't know. The reality is too clear.

Let's stop pretending we don't know what's happening. The truth is clear, and it's ugly. All animals have the capacity to suffer, and that suffering is no less real because they don't share our intelligence or social standing. Our ethical obligation doesn't stop where it becomes inconvenient. Exploiting them for food, fashion, or entertainment is simply unjustifiable.

This isn't about convenience. It's about acknowledging the rights of animals, and rejecting the exploitation they endure for our own benefit. And when we fail to recognize their suffering, we become part of the system that perpetuates it. 

Veganism is a moral responsibility, not a privilege or an optional lifestyle. It's about rejecting oppression, not finding justifications for it. So let's stop apologizing for the choices we make. Let's stop tailoring our arguments to fit other people's comfort zones. This is about justice, not convenience. 

And as for companies like Amul India, who perpetuate this cruelty and feed us lies about the morality of dairy, fuck Amul. They've built their entire business on the backs of suffering cows, and we need to stop supporting them.