For the first time, the CHN is hosting, in conjunction with the CMS Cameron McKenna Hindu Network, a debate on the importance of vegetarianism for Hindus today, modeled on the British Parliamentary Debate style. This will be preceding by a short talk on Holi.

Hindus from many parts of India have practised vegetarianism for centuries. Many of the first generation immigrants in Britain were from strong vegetarianism backgrounds from West India or East Africa. But for many other Indians, fish and meat are a part of daily life because of historical cultural factors. Far fewer Hindus in Britain today are vegetarian, especially amongst second generation Indians, compared to the first large batch of immigrants in the 1970s.

Does this matter? Do today's Hindus regard vegetarianism with as much importance as the previous generation several decades ago? Is vegetarianism is a fundamental part of the Hindu religion, or is it more related to incumbent cultural factors? Do today's Hindus regard other facets of Hinduism as overriding concerns relative to vegetarianism, or is it just that the prevalence and availability of non-vegetarian food has eroded vegetarian considerations amongst Hindus forever?

[Full details, including speaker details, TBC]

We discuss these matters and more in a debate modelled on the British Parliamentary Style. You can read general guidelines here. A summary is as follows:

• The Motion for the debate is expressed as “This House believes…”, with two Proposers of the Motion and two Opposers.
• Proposer 1 speaks first for the Motion, followed by Opposer 1. Proposer 2 speaks next, often in response to the points raised by Opposer 1. Opposer 2 speaks last. Each speech is 10 minutes in length.
• The first and last minutes are protected time – no Points of Information (such as questions on the content of the speech) may be made during this time.
• The floor, or the opposing team, may raise Points of Information during the unprotected time. The speaker can decide to accept or dismiss them
• Speeches should have a clear Internal Structure. It is often best to begin by attacking the arguments of previous debaters from the other side and then to make you own points, and to separate arguments into three or four clearly defined areas such that it is easier for the floor and Moderator to follow.
• Debaters should ensure their arguments are consistent and complementary with their team members’.
• Points of Information should be offered during the 8 minutes of unprotected time when members of the other side are speaking.
• If a debater is not acting in the spirit of the debate, the opposing team or the floor may raise a Point of Order objection. It is in the Moderator’s discretion, whether to uphold the Point of Order.
• The Moderator follows strict procedures in chairing the debate. Each debater is given a 1-minute warning before their allocated time is complete. They may not speak further than their allocated time, and the decision of the Moderator is final.
• After this, there is a floor debate which may include Q&A to the teams, moderated by the Moderator.
• The proposing and opposing team, in that order, summarise their arguments following this floor interaction. Finally, the floor votes on the ‘winner’ of the debate.
• The teams are competing against each other for the floor votes and, as such, they must show the Chair and floor they can debate more persuasively than the other teams. 

Details:

Date: Wednesday 7th March

Timings: 6:30-9pm

Location: CMS Cameron McKenna LLP, Mitre House, 160 Aldersgate Street, London, EC1A 4DD (closest tube station: Barbican; St Pauls)

Full details, including speaker details are on the CHN website here: http://www.cityhindusnetwork.org.uk/2012/02/08/%E2%80%9Cthis-house-believes-vegetarianism-is-still-just-as-important-for-british-hindus-today-as-was-for-the-previous-generation-%E2%80%9D/.