The Department of Animal Welfare called for marking February 14 this year not as a celebration of romance but as ‘Cow Hugging Day’ to promote Hindu values.
An appeal by India’s animal welfare body to ask citizens to mark this year’s Valentine’s Day not as a celebration of romance but as “Cow Hugging Day” to better promote the values of animals. Hinduism has been mocked on social media.
In a statement, India’s Animal Welfare Commission on Wednesday said “hugging cows will bring rich emotions and increase individual and collective happiness”.
Devoted Hindus who worship cows like saintsargues that Western holidays go against traditional Indian values.
At first I thought it was FAKE NEWS, archived tweets of news channels and verified handles. Turns out that was true. The Animal Welfare Commission of India would like (call on) you to celebrate “Cow Hugging Day” on February 14 as it brings “emotional richness” and increases “individual and collective well-being”. ” pic.twitter.com/wPEooNaAMG
– Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) February 8, 2023
In recent years, Hindu far-right groups have raided shops in cities, burned cards and gifts, and kicked couples holding hands out of restaurants and parks, alleging Valentine’s Day encourages promiscuity.
Groups like Shiv Sena and Bajrang Dal say such actions pave the way for the reassertion of Hindu identity.
Educated young Indians, regardless of their religion, often spend the holiday season crowding parks and restaurants, exchanging gifts and throwing celebrations like any other. any other Indian association, especially since India began its economic liberalization process in the early 1990s.
The Hindu nationalist government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pushed a Hindu agenda, seeking the supremacy of the religion at the expense of a secular state. famous for its diversity.
Hindus make up nearly 80% of the country’s nearly 1.4 billion people. Muslims make up 14%, while Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains make up the majority of the remaining 6%.
The cow long ago embedded in the Hindu psyche and greatly respected by many like one’s mother. Most states in India have banned the slaughter of cows.
According to data analytics site India Spend, at least 45 people were killed by Hindu cow protection groups in the country between 2012 and 2018.
The animal welfare council’s appeal asks people to get out and hug cows by February 14.
Likely to be lonely on Valentine’s Day? The Indian government recommends hugging a cow. You can ‘decode’ in the same quick motion.
Cow Hugging Day, February 14. It’s unclear if cow consent is required but you’ll certainly find out. pic.twitter.com/FsRjaaekpL
– Priyamvada Gopal (@PriyamvadaGopal) February 8, 2023
Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, a political analyst, said the call was “absolutely insane and defies logic”.
“Unfortunately this is now officially sanctioned,” he added. “This shows the removal of one more line between state and religion, which is very disappointing. Now the state is doing what political and religious groups have been campaigning to do.”
In a satirical column in The Indian Express, journalist Aakash Joshi wondered if the government could deified cow can also serve an economic function.
“Since there is little indication that India is leading the march in new technology, perhaps we can all find gigs as bull huggators,” he wrote. or a guide to taming hunting animals.
The government’s call for Valentine’s Day was widely mocked. Sample some tweets:
Can’t decide which ‘cow’ to hug on February 14th.
– Adrija Bose (@adrijabose) February 9, 2023
Have the cows received the memo about Cow Hug Day on February 14th? I am willing to do it, but please declare Free Admission Day on 15th Feb.
– Kajol Srinivasan – Turned on by unwanted advice (@LOLrakshak) February 8, 2023
Please agree before you hug a cow. #hug day #CowHugDay
– Pooja Prasanna (@PoojaPrasanna4) February 9, 2023
When no one hugs you on Cow Hug Day. pic.twitter.com/tYLWQ11Grt
— Advaid (@Advaidism) February 8, 2023
Will there be celebrities taking selfies on Cow Hug Day? ♥️🐮
— Hana Mohsin Khan | اء (@girlpilot_) February 9, 2023
