Glory has always held a powerful place in society. What we glorify does not remain just an idea. It slowly shapes our mindset, our choices, our actions, and our overall identity not just as individuals, but as a society. It even contributes to forming our moral compass. The things we idealize, glorify, and admire become our guide, leading us towards the values we adopt. And that’s why glorification is never neutral. It has the power to build a society or to quietly destroy it.
From my long observations and experiences, I have noticed a negative trend in Indian society in particular. Though it exists elsewhere too, in our country it is very prominent: the glorification of negative things. Whether it’s mindsets, rituals, beliefs, or actions, too often we celebrate what should actually be stopped. You might be a little confused about what I mean, so let me share a few things I have observed, things that are clearly wrong but are glorified instead of criticized. I will also talk about how these influence people and shape society.
The first thing I observed and experienced as a negative glorification in our society is eating non-veg. It’s a controversial and debatable subject, but I believe and the truth is that eating non-veg is wrong and cannot be justified. Killing voiceless and innocent beings just for taste or protein, when cruelty-free sources are available to meet our nutrition needs, is wrong.
I know many of you reading this are non-vegetarians, and you might feel offended or defensive, but deep inside, even your heart knows it’s wrong. When you think logically and ethically, your conscience will tell you that consuming meat, when there are plant-based alternatives, is unnecessary. Yet, in our society, it is glorified. Eating meat is seen as a symbol of coolness and good health.
I was brought up in a non-vegetarian family, and my mother used to force me to eat it, though I hated it because I knew where it came from. In India, fresh meat often means a chicken is pulled out of the cage, taken behind a curtain, and slaughtered. You can hear its cries, and you can see the fear in the eyes of the others waiting to be killed. As a child, I often had tears in my eyes watching this. I admit that chicken curry or biryani can taste good, but I still hated eating it because I saw the violence behind it. As a child, I was forced to eat meat. But by the time I turned thirteen and finally got the freedom to choose, I left non-veg immediately. I had been waiting for it for so long. Yet, people around me mostly non-vegetarians mocked me for my choice to stay vegetarian.
Once, at a friend’s birthday party, everyone was disappointed when they found out I was vegetarian by choice. They asked, “Why would you do that? You’re missing the pleasures of life.” I smiled, but deep down I thought: instead of appreciating that I don’t support cruelty, I am being criticized. Why is cruelty towards animals seen as “cool” and non-problematic, when it clearly is? This is one of the many negative glorifications happening in our society.
Another major glorification is of the caste system. Many people believe caste no longer exists in India, that untouchability is gone. But that is far from the truth. It exists more deeply than we can imagine. And not only does it exist it is glorified. People proudly flex their caste identity: “I am a Jat, I am a Baniya, I am a Brahmin.” You may have seen this on social media or even in real life. There are songs made about being from an upper caste, and people dance to them. Isn’t this glorification?
At the same time, surnames or caste labels of marginalized communities are used as insults: Bhangi, Chamar, Dhobi, and so on. This system is ridiculous, yet it has shaped society for centuries. And still, people glorify it creating injustice, inequality, and division among people.
Another thing glorified in our society is the dowry system. Though it’s illegal, it is still widely practiced and seen as a ritual, even as a matter of respect from the bride’s side. Families boast about how much dowry they gave: not just money, but also cars, land, houses. Others compete, saying, “We gave more.” Dowry is an evil practice. It strips away dignity from the bride and her family, and leads to exploitation. Many families cannot even afford the dowry demanded, but still sell their assets or take huge loans just to meet the expectation. And instead of society objectifying, such families are often praised and respected once again, glorification of something that is clearly wrong.
Then there is colorism. Fair skin is glorified as beautiful, while dark skin is mocked. But skin color is not in anyone’s control, and every shade has its own beauty. Yet glorifying only fair skin creates insecurity and toxic beauty standards. People with darker skin often feel less appreciated, less included. That’s when toxic products like Fair & Lovely or harmful home remedies come in, damaging people’s skin and self-worth. And still, this glorification continues without objection.
Another major area of glorification is in rituals and superstitions. One of the worst examples is animal sacrifice in the name of God. If we think beyond the excuse of “culture,” we would realize how cruel it is. What kind of God would bless people for killing an innocent being? This happens in Hinduism, a religion that speaks of ahimsa (non-violence) and in Islam, known as a religion of peace. And yet, people glorify these acts as devotion.
Superstitions also flourish. New ones are created, and old ones are passed on. Some are almost comical, but dangerous in how they shape thinking. For example: in men, having a big belly is seen as a sign of wealth and status. In reality, it’s a health risk. But instead of advising weight loss, people glorify it as richness.
In our country, blind faith and obedience are glorified too. Someone who believes without question, who prays, fasts, obeys elders, never answers back, is considered “a good person.” Whether it’s a child or a married woman, obedience is praised. But if someone challenges beliefs, questions critically, takes a stand, or says they are atheist, that behavior is condemned. Logical reasoning, curiosity, rationality these are not admired. Instead, blind faith and obedience are praised because they allow the powerful to control, manipulate, and oppress the weaker sections of society.
Another thing glorified in our country — something you rarely see in well-functioning and developed nations is blind devotion towards politicians. They are treated like gods or saviours of the nation. When people meet politicians, they cry, touch their feet, and say things like “hamare bhaagya khul gaye aapse milkar,” as if a deity has descended on earth. And yet, most of these politicians being worshiped are doing nothing significant for the nation. While people struggle for basic necessities like food, clean water, healthcare, and education, these leaders distract the masses with useless controversies, dividing society further on caste, religion, and language. Instead of questioning them, holding them accountable, and reminding them that they are public servants meant to work for national progress, people glorify them. This culture of worshiping politicians has reached such an extent that anyone asking real questions like, “What development have you done in your tenure?” is immediately labeled anti-national and is said things like “go to Pakistan.” This really makes me wonder where we are truly progressing as a nation. And then there are the lifestyle glorification’s : drinking, smoking, abusing, or listening to gangster-style songs. The youth are easily influenced by this, and those who don’t participate are mocked as uncool or nerdy.
. Choosing health and peace often means isolation from groups.
There are endless examples of wrongs being glorified in our country. As I said earlier, what a society glorifies is what shapes its values and mindset. When we glorify negative things, we feed a negative mindset. Our moral compass shifts, and wrong becomes normal. Mindset is everything and when it collectively moves in the wrong direction, progress stops.
Take the example of non-veg and animal sacrifice. By glorifying them, we become less empathetic, more cruel, and our ethics decline. Many people today don’t even feel sympathy for animals. When they hear the word “chicken,” they imagine curry, not a living bird. “Goat” means mutton, not the animal. Isn’t it shameful that humans, who claim to be superior because of intellect, reduce other beings to nothing but food? The truth is, the world belongs to every species, not just humans. Even if animals seem inferior to us, they have the same right to live as we do.
The caste system is another example. Why does it still exist, even after so many fought against it like Babasaheb Ambedkar, Jyotirao Phule, and others? Because it is deeply ingrained in our minds and still glorified as pride. Until we stop glorifying it, it will not end.
The glorification of negative things stops progress. Without a change in mindset, society cannot move forward or unlearn harmful traditions. These glorifications also lead to division, inequality, injustice, blind faith, and a weaker moral compass. They make society vulnerable to manipulation, oppression, and internal conflict.
What we need is the opposite. We must stop glorifying what is wrong, and instead begin to glorify what truly matters: critical thinking, empathy for all, equality, peace, respect, and dignity. These will create a better, happier, and more civilized society. And equally important we must stop entertaining negative glorification. Don’t give attention, don’t give reaction. Sometimes, silence and refusal to engage are the most powerful answers.
In the end, I would like to say that our progress depends on our mindset, and our mindset depends on what we glorify. The choice lies with each of us to either keep admiring what is wrong, or to glorify what is right.
“If we keep praising the wrong, we are silently preparing the grave of the right.”
THINK AND QUESTION……. because the future wont forgive us for the wrong we glorify today.
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