Life & Style

Leonardo DiCaprio joins hands with Hindu nationalist group to ban beef

A vegan himself, DiCaprio is an influential figure in raising awareness about climate change and animal rights

Entertainment Desk June 26, 2016

A vegan himself, DiCaprio is an influential figure in raising awareness about climate change and animal rights. PHOTO: MOVIEPILOT

Leonardo Di Caprio's star power is being used by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the Hindu nationalist group to ban beef.

The Chief of RSS, Mohan Bhagwat is all set to take the campaign to an international platform by organising a massive rally in the UK with more than ten thousand Hindus attending, and the Wolf of Wall Street star is in full support.

Leo giving a speech at the United Nations against carbon emissions. PHOTO: DAILYMAIL

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While the RSS' step toward banning beef in India is driven by religious factors, DiCaprio's concern is towards animal rights and the environment.

The Great Gatsby star has become an influential figure in raising awareness about the climate change crisis.

Leo being vegan, has also produced a new cut of Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret, which features how animal agriculture is a fundamental cause of environmental damage.

Leo has raised his voice on global issues at large. PHOTO: MTV

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Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin group and David Attenbourough, a naturalist are also joining hands with the RSS and will be attending the anti-beef movement alongside Leo.

The rally will take place at the golden jubilee event on July 31.

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COMMENTS (21)

Marie | 8 years ago | Reply It's not just compassionate people who live on Earth that want the torture and slaughter of animals and the damage being done to the planet to stop.

Caroline | 8 years ago | Reply Given the level of racial tension in the UK right now I'm sure a load of Indians coming over saying beef should be banned will go down really well. Aside from that it is completely unrealistic and a waste of time. It would be better to campaign to ban factory farming and unsustainable farming methods including crop growing. Grass fed animals do not harm the environment they are necessary for biodiversity. Soy crops cause devastation of the environment and they aren't just grown for animal feed. Loads of vegan products are made with soy. We all need to look at what we are consuming even vegans. All processed products are bad. All large crop growth kills animals. Large scale food production of any kind needs to be stopped - we need to go back to eating natural foods bought from local suppliers. Ban beef? That is not going to happen.

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Mara | 8 years ago | Reply It's great to have celebrity power behind important causes. My internationally distributed documentary Heart & Soil film, can be viewed on Amazon or check out the website to get a glimpse of the film and the response it engendered. The farmers and the animals are highlighted as they are examples of organic farming and humane animal husbandry. I'm a vegan myself but as a documentarian I followed the story that wanted to be told. It was important to make a compelling film about how meat was raised and killed rather than to attempt to convert the masses to be vegans. Feedback from viewers made me know that I helped raise consciousness of many who consequently changed their eating and buying habits of animal products. Interesting and unintended was that my next documentary Wild Horses In Winds of Change, also took a hard view finder to the treatment of animals and how the cattle on public land negatively effects the delicate balance of the eco system. With a background and years working in the field of nutrition I hesitate to edict that all humans should and can be vegans. The traditional Indian- hindu diet is full of dairy ( butter & creams) It's possible for people to thrive as vegans but I consulted with as many ill vegans as I did ill carnivores. It's not rocket science to be a vegan but it takes some knowledge, guidance and willingness to add to the diet - not just omit.

observer | 8 years ago | Reply "Secondly, we humans are omnivores not herbivores." Not true. All anthropological and scientific facts say humans are not created as carnivores.

Mr D | 8 years ago | Reply How many religions are available in this planet? If activists from every religion start imposing their beliefs on the rest of the world's population, then everybody will end up eating and drinking nothing.

Asad Zaidi | 8 years ago | Reply The plants don't have a nervous system so they don't feel it when they are cut? If that was the case they would not grow a branch from where it was broken. Just because the humans are unable to comprehend that does not mean the feeling is not there. Secondly, we humans are omnivores not herbivores. We are able to eat both plants as animals and as we are tertiary consumers on the food chain. This means we can eat animals along with plants. Its a choice we have and neither is better or worse than the other. You cannot shame others if that choice differs from yours.

ahmad | 8 years ago | Reply this activism funded by millionaires is funny. Last month I had the chance to go to an event related with climate change. I was shocked to find that none of the so called activists organizing the event had any in-depth understanding of the issue. In fact when I asked what was their plan, they were blank

Aditya Bhargava | 8 years ago | Reply Muslims here going crazy about beef ban and making weird statements. Plants don't have a nervous system. N as some other imbecile said that animals would go extinct, no they won't. They'll only get extinct from the farms that you raise on for slaughter. Don't tell me that the one horned rhino, the dodo and others got extinct cause you gave up eating them. Non-vegs appear to have an IQ of a chimp when trying to justify their choice through ridiculous statements.

Jared | 8 years ago | Reply @borat: Could you be any more of a cliche?

akif | 8 years ago | Reply then we should stop eating plants for the sake of enviroment.

Irene Whennan | 8 years ago | Reply I am hoping these millionaires that are pushing for everyone to become vegans are willing to pay to set up an alternative way to house these poor animals when no one wants them ... let's face it only a few can go to the existing zoos ... these animals are destined for extinction once they are no longer required for food ...!!

shafi | 8 years ago | Reply @deepak harit, plz stop killing PLANTS for tastes., i love plants as they look so beautiful and add lush to environment and reduce pollution.

Jean Daglish | 8 years ago | Reply This is wonderful ,love the sound of this article ,,Richard Branson ,and David Attenborough joining this ,, just hope they too look to a vegan lifestyle ,, this is so needed , as it is always so hard to get the Media to show the connection of Climate Change ,and animal Agriculture ,big business ,eg Meat Dairy ,and Poultry Industry's ,want to keep a lid on this connection and the media do their Bidding ,taking care of their vested interests

Mirza Asif Baig | 8 years ago | Reply LOL... Plants are also living things. I think you all should eat Air with Water.

borat | 8 years ago | Reply this made me crave some beef ribs!

Someone | 8 years ago | Reply Nope. I need my cheeseburgerz.

Rosie | 8 years ago | Reply Thank you, Leo! Raising and slaughtering animals for consumption is an environmental disaster, and it necessarily condemns sentient beings to a terrifying death.

Mona Khoury | 8 years ago | Reply We need more people like Leonardo Di Caprio in this cruel world. Keep up the great work you do. We love you ❤

deepak harit | 8 years ago | Reply Killing should be stopped for taste. We have no right to seek mercy from god which we can't show. Go veg and spread love is the true faith.

Andrew DellaPietra | 8 years ago | Reply Yep, the environment. That and 100+ billion land animals abused, confined, mutilated, and killed each year for food. That too. Animal agriculture is unsustainable, unhealthy, unnecessary, and unethical. It's decimating the planet, human health, the lives of innocent, sentient beings, and diverting crops/grain/feed etc., away from those in need - perpetuating global hunger and killing millions from starvation. It's archaic, barbaric, and tragic. We need to evolve as a species, and society. Veganism is the next evolution. Better for the planet, better for our health, and certainly better for animals - who are slaughtered without mercy.

Babbarsher Khan | 8 years ago | Reply These days Leonardo greets people with "Bharat Mata Ki Jai!" and has also agreed to do the lead role in Bajrangi Bhaijaan-2 ;-)

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