Raghu Aditya comes out with ‘Shakahar: Tarkadhar’, a book claimed to be milestone in animal rights sector

Pabitra Guragain

Kathmandu, June 22:  Saturday was a very special day for Sumitra Shrestha, 70, of Imadol, Lalitpur. Unlike her usual Saturdays, she found herself in a college hall, part of a large audience gathered to witness the launch of a book entitled Shakahar: Tarkadhar ( Justifications for Vegetarianism/ Veganism) by Raghu Aditya, an animal rights activist.

Seated slightly behind the main gathering, Sumitra watched from her chair as her son, Raghu, took the stage. He spoke passionately about his experiences writing the book pouring in the challenges he faced, the support he received, and his motivation for turning to the written word. Raghu shared how he decided to respond to the questions and criticisms he often encountered while living as a complete vegetarian (vegan), using the book as a platform to express his thoughts and convictions.

In the book, the author has made a sincere effort to address the criticisms and questions often directed at those who follow a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. The common questions include: How do you meet your body's protein requirements as a vegetarian or vegan? Aren’t animals meant for human consumption? Aren’t you becoming too radical? Are you trying to encroach on our religion?  

According to Prakash Ajaat, a noted journalist who facilitated the book launch event, the writer presents strong, fact-based arguments supported by research to counter such challenges.

With no designated chief guest or formal hierarchy, five women: Pramada Shah, Manju Shree Sthapit, Dr Ayasha Upreti, Eva Dangol and Shova Bhujel jointly launched the book.

As the author explained, the book is divided into five chapters in which he candidly shares his personal experiences as well as research-based arguments. He spoke about how, since the age of around eight, when he chose to refrain from consuming meat, he has frequently faced these recurring questions from relatives and friends.

"I often found myself feeling uneasy when I didn’t have proper answers to them," he said. "I believe this might be a familiar experience for many other vegetarians and vegans."

Now a vegan, he went on to explain, "This book is my response to the recurring questions and criticisms directed at vegetarians and vegans. As I believe, it also serves as an advocacy for animal rights and a stand against animal cruelty."

He expressed his deep gratitude to his sister, Mona Shrestha Aditya, for her unwavering support in making the moment possible.

Commenting on the book, Shah described the book ‘a piece meeting international standards’, praising its compelling arguments grounded in ethics, justice, and the fundamental rights of animals.

Chairperson of Nepal Vegetarian Association (NVA), Krishna Gurung, environment activist Shail Shrestha, representatives from academia, media, and animal rights activists, along with Kalyan Silwal, Uttam Pudasaini and Sthapit applauded the book for being a powerful one in countering accusations and criticisms against vegetarians and vegans with research-based arguments.

The NVA Chairperson announced that the association would officially endorse the book, referring to it as “a guiding resource in the field of animal rights.”

The speakers were univocal of the book’s potentiality to prove a milestone in the relevant field.

 Following the launching ceremony, Sumitra shared with the RSS that her heart is filled with pride at the moment. The mother heart wishes for her son to further fly high with the message of love, compassion, non-violence and justice for all including animals.

His father professor Anand Aditya said,” If Raghu had hypothetically owed ancestral debt, he has been liberated from it with the publication of the book,” highlighting the significance of the work for family legacy and the relevant field.

The 252-page book with pictorial presentations and references is priced at Rs. 650.RSS