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Hindus Back Beatle Paul McCartney's Meat Free Monday

Hindus have thrown their weight behind Beatle Sir Paul McCartney's call for a Meat-Free Monday movement, which aims at persuading public to go vegetarian once a week to slow global warming.

Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that besides reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it was good for ethical and health reasons also.

Zed, who is the president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that Hinduism promoted strict vegetarianism insisting on ahimsa (not harming living creatures) and non-killing, and renouncing animal slaughter and meat eating. It suggested taking of sattvik (vegetables, fruits, etc.) and avoiding rajasik (eggs, etc.) and tamasik (meat, intoxicants, etc.) foods.

Rajan Zed argued that there was extensive protection of life in Hinduism and ahimsa was a command. All the major religions of the world were opposed to killing, he added.

Zed further said that as eating less meat would help the environment, more celebrities should come out in support of at least staying away from meat once a week, thus contributing to a healthier world.

Other celebrity proponents of idea behind Meat Free Monday reportedly include actors Kevin Spacey and Woody Harrelson; actresses Joanna Lumley and Laura Bailey; singers Sharleen Spiteri, Chris Martin, and Sheryl Crow; comedians David Walliams, Matt Lucas, and Ricky Gervais; media personality Kelly Osbourne; industrialist Sir Richard Branson; poet Benjamin Zephaniah; scientist Sir David King; Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman; socialite Zac Goldsmith; chefs Giorgio Locatelli, Oliver Peyton, Arthur Potts Dawson, Yotam Ottolenghi and Skye Gyngell; food writers Mark Hix and Nigel Slater; restaurateur Oliver Peyton; etc.

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the world's livestock, which was one of the most critical contributors to global warming, McCartney is advocating Meat Free Monday. According to reports, meat is responsible for 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, more than transport's 13 percent.