Netizens had a field day after the advisory was issued to save Vedic tradition from extinction by hugging cows on February 14 and the memes stole the show.

Opposition members in the parliament slammed the decision to celebrate ‘Cow Hug Day’ on February 14

By Mausami Singh: Saint Valentine and lovers at large can heave a sigh of relief after the appeal to celebrate Cow Hug Day on Valentine’s Day was withdrawn by the Animal Welfare Board of India.

Netizens had a field day after the advisory was issued to save Vedic tradition from extinction by hugging cows on February 14 and the memes stole the show. After being trolled heavily, the Animal Welfare Board withdrew the decision, but not before it became a topic of casual banter amongst parliamentarians in the House.

Mahua Moitra of the Trinamool Congress said, “First the government made our Valentine’s Day plans for us. But now it seems we have to make other plans.”

On Twitter, she shared a news article about the advisory being withdrawn and wrote: “What a pity – have to make new plans for Valentine’s day.”

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Congress’s Priyank Kharge also tweeted about the withdrawal: “I am extremely disappointed that #CowHugDay has been withdrawn. I am sure BJP had drawn up a great event in front of Vidhana Soudha of washing cows, drinking Gaumutra, smearing cow dung on themselves & then hugging cows setting a great example for people like us. Alas!”

Sanjay Raut of the Shiv Sena took a dig at the BJP and said, “They got scared. Withdrawing the advisory saved the BJP leaders and the cows.”

The welfare board said that the ‘cow hug day’ will bring emotional richness and positive energy to life. Several Union ministers were quick to applaud the initiative.

Also Read | Embracing a controversy: What politicians said on ‘Cow Hug Day’

Rural development minister Giriraj Singh welcomed the decision. “I welcome the decision of Purshottam Rupala’s ministry to celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14 as ‘Cow Hug Day’. We should all love cows and hug cows on that day. This is a good initiative.”

Union minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti hailed it as a great step to renew our bonds with the holy cow. “Almost 33 gods and goddesses live in cows. The cow is the holy mother and we should embrace them. I thank the minister. The holy cow gives us milk all her life like a mother keeps us in the womb for nine months and we worship our mother. So why not worship cows?” she asked.

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“On one hand, the Western world will celebrate Valentine’s Day, but on the other hand, those who are tired of this celebration and don’t want to be a part of it can now celebrate ‘Cow Hug Day’ and enrich our culture,” she said.

MP Priyanka Chaturvedi called the advisory a cruel joke on the citizens. “While the government is busy hugging crony capitalists, the nation is being asked to be content with hugging cows for emotional well being. While the drafting of the notice is hilarious, it unfortunately is a cruel joke on the citizens of this nation,” she said.

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Randeep Surjewala said it is childish of the government to want to put love on a leash. “This is absolutely childish behaviour of the Modi government. Why are you after Gau Mata? You want to control everything. This is so regressive. You save the cows. Instead, you are trying to control the youth of the country through foolish initiatives like these,” he said.

Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi went on to suggest a better date. “Why Valentine’s Day? The cow is our mother. We should celebrate ‘Cow Hug’ Day on Mother’s Day,” he said.

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