Paul McCartney Calls for Vegetarian Day in India - Spinner

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Paul McCartneyhas been living the vegetarian lifestyle for years, and now the former Beatle is urging India to declare a day to commemorate the meat-free lifestyle.

McCartneywrote a letterasking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to designate Jan. 12 -- the anniversary of PETA India's founding -- as"a day to celebrate vegetarianism and compassion towards animals."

"Such a declaration would save countless animals, reduce the environmental devastation caused by the meat industry and help participants clear their arteries and their consciences,"he wrote."It would be a celebration of life -- all life."

McCartney's fight for animal rights in India isn't a new mission. In 2000, he made an appeal to the Indian prime minister to stop the black market leather trade. The legendary musician also narrated 'Glass Walls,' a documentary looking what really happens to animals in slaughterhouses, that was just released in India.

"Were it to be shown in every school, I have no doubt that the next generation would fully embrace vegetarianism,"he added.

According to theAP, the UN food agency estimated that 42 percent of India's population was vegetarian in 2003.

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