New Delhi: The Animal Welfare Board of India on Wednesday has withdrawn the appeal urging cow lovers to celebrate February 14 as ‘Cow Hug Day’ after a government body’s appeal.
In the appeal, the Animal Welfare Board of India backed up its advice on hugging a cow on Valentine’s Day with examples like it would bring “emotional richness” and increase “individual and collective happiness”.
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the appeal issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India for the celebration of Cow Hug Day on 14th February, 2023 stands withdrawn.”
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 the cow the “backbone of Indian culture and represents economy”, adding that the animal represents “cattle wealth and biodiversity.”
The Animal Welfare Board comes under the Animal Husbandry ministry.