Amid heavy opposition from the opposition and a flood of memes on social media, the government has withdrawn its appeal to celebrate February 14 as ‘Cow Hug Day’. Earlier on Wednesday, the Animal Welfare Board had appealed to celebrate ‘Cow Hug Day’ on 14 February. The Animal Welfare Board comes under the Ministry of Animal Husbandry, which is headed by BJP’s Parshottam Rupala.
February 14 will not be ‘Cow Hug Day’, Animal Welfare Board withdraws it’s appeal
Board secretary SK Dutta said in a statement, “As per the direction of the competent authority and the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the appeal issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India to celebrate ‘Cow Hug Day’ on February 14 is withdrawn.” It may be noted that the Animal Welfare Board, in its appeal to celebrate ‘Cow Hug Day’, had said that Vedic traditions were ‘on the verge of extinction’ due to ‘advancement of western culture’ and ‘the glare of western civilization has destroyed our material culture and heritage’.
February 14 is celebrated worldwide as ‘Valentine’s Day’
At the same time, Union Minister Purushottam Rupala responded positively to the call of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and talked about celebrating February 14 as ‘Cow Hug Day’. Rupala is the Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. He said that for this purpose nothing much should be read into the date of February 14. February 14 is celebrated worldwide as ‘Valentine’s Day’.
The minister had told reporters, “There is an old tradition of worshiping the cow in this country and it is a matter of great happiness that people hug the cow… It would be good if people respond positively to our appeal.” Since February 14 is the day of love, it would be good if people remember and love the cow on that day. He said, ‘And if someone taunts him, then one should not get angry, but have mercy….’.
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