Government advance in India: Hug cows instead of giving roses

An Indian government agency sees Hindu traditions in danger. Instead of celebrating Valentine’s Day, people should rather honor cows. The “Day of the Cow Hug” remained an interlude – the mockery remains.

Hugging cows is not that easy. Therefore better practice for the “Hug a cow day”, the “day of the cow hug”. A reporter from the Indian news channel NDTV thought the same thing and made an experiment on himself. Result: The cow shook him off – bruise included. “I don’t think she likes it,” he stated. “I tried to hug a cow, but I’m just not the type.”

Social media full of unsuccessful cow hugs

Social media is now full of unsuccessful cow hugs. Spurned cow lovers have painful experiences with cows that do not return human love. Of course, there are also satirical songs. “Save the cow from gangsters” means one thing – it shows what the cow is capable of when people approach it.

Decree of an Indian government agency

It all started on Monday last week with a decree from an Indian government agency. According to the State Department of Animal Welfare, the cow is the backbone of Indian culture and rural economy – Hindu traditions are threatened by Western culture. The message: Forget (Western) Valentine’s Day, hug a cow. It makes you happy and gives you positive energy.

Great, thought Pal Singh, Minister of Animal Breeding in India’s largest state, Uttar Pradesh.

The cow is the “mother of the nation,” added Singh. He also said: “Mother cow is the best and I ask and urge the people of Uttar Pradesh to bow to her on February 14th, hug her and show your appreciation”.

Cow hug yes, Valentine’s Day no

This is also the case in Delhi’s Kotla market, where the cows roam free. Cow hugs yes, Valentine’s Day no, agrees Ravinder Sharma. He says: “The cow should be hugged by everyone, she is our mother”. Valentine’s Day belongs to the western world – you don’t celebrate it. “Our young generation celebrates Valentine’s Day, Rose Day, Chocolate Day, this day or that day. That’s not our culture,” adds Sharma.

Greengrocer Ankur Kumar is a bit more critical – for professional reasons. He explains: “The cow bothers me a lot here; she eats all my vegetables”. There are also a lot of stray cows in the market. It’s pretty annoying – he’s always trying to scare her away. But then Kumar adds: “But even though they annoy me, I bring them an offering in the evening.”

India’s cows are often not doing well

The fact is that India’s cows are often not doing well. They roam the streets and have to eat garbage. Much is said about animal welfare, but little is done. The Muslim activist Aadil Hassan therefore criticizes: “If you want to show respect to the cows, why not 365 days a year, why only one?”

Last Friday, the “Breaking News” topic was that the “Day of the Cow Hug” was canceled again – without giving a reason. Since then, India has been puzzled as to why. But one thing is clear: If you want to hug a cow on Valentine’s Day, you can do it – if the cow allows it.