No ‘Cow Hug Day’ on Feb 14, Centre withdraws appeal

Amid widespread criticism on social media, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) on Friday said it has withdrawn the appeal to celebrate February 14 as ‘Cow Hug Day’ following directions from the government. February 14 is observed as Valentine’s Day across the world.
“As directed by the Competent Authority and Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying the appeal issued by the Animal Welfare Board of for celebration of Cow Hug Day on 14th February, 2023 stands withdrawn,” board’s secretary SK Dutta said in a notice posted on its website. It was for the first time that the AWBI had appealed to cow lovers in the country to celebrate ‘Cow Hug Day’.
Earlier, the board had said the appeal has been made because the vedic traditions are almost on the “verge of extinction” due to the progress of western culture.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Friday took a swipe over the AWBI and asked who had “moo-ted” the idea in the first place.