The Animal Welfare Board of India has withdrawn the appeal urging cow lovers to celebrate February 14 as ‘Cow Hug Day’.
In a fresh notice, the advisory body said, “As directed by the Competent Authority and Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying the appeal issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India for the celebration of Cow Hug Day on 14th February, 2023 stands withdrawn.”
The AWBI had earlier issued a notice appealing to cow lovers to hug cows on February 14 – the day celebrated as Valentine’s Day across the world – saying hit will bring “emotional richness” and will increase “individual and collective happiness”.
Criticising the “dazzle of western civilisation”, the board said that vedic traditions are “almost on the verge of extinction due to the progress of west culture over time.”
It further called cow the “backbone of Indian culture anrepresentsconomy”, adding that the animal represent “cattle wealth and biodiversity.”
“It is known as “Kamdhenu” and “Gaumata” because of its nourishing nature like mother, the giver of all providing riches to humanity,” it had said.
The appeal had also received the backing of Union minister Giriraj Singh who saod everyone should love cows. When asked about the advisory, issued on the direction of the department of animal husbandry and dairying, Giriraj Singh, rural development minister in the Narendra Modi-led government, said, “It is a good initiative.”
“We should love cows. I am happy that this mission has been started… You should also love cows,” he added.
