The animal welfare department in India have taken a different stance this upcoming Valentine’s Day.
Hindu values against Valentine’s Day
In a statement by the Animal Welfare Board of India, “Hugging cows will bring emotional richness and increase individual and collective happiness”.
Cows are seen as sacred creatures in India as they represent Mother Earth and are known to be a source of goodness, with their milk nourishing all creatures.
Devout Hindus also believe the Western holiday of Valentine’s Day goes against traditional Indian values.
With the newly declared “Cow Hug Day”, the government hopes to deter the “dazzle of Western civilisation” and return to Hindu beliefs.
There is a dark side, however. Some extremist groups have, over the years, even gone as far as seeking out couples who engage in acts of public affection on February 14, “punishing” them by either beating them or forcing them to marry, making a mockery of the fundamental values of Hinduism.
Dubbed the anti-Valentine’s Day squads, these group of mostly men strongly believe in the virtuous powers of no sex before marriage, going as far as raiding shops in cities, chasing hand-holding couples, and burning cards and gifts representing Valentine’s Day.
The Hindu nationalist government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been pushing a Hindu agenda, with Hindus comprising nearly 80 per cent of its nearly 1.4 billion people.
Twitter reaction to Cow Hug Day
Twitter has been ablaze with India’s new Valentine’s cow campaign, with numerous users posting their funny thoughts on the situation.
“Roses are red. Violets are blue. I lose my head. When I hear you moo,” said one user, with another adding, “Can’t decide which ‘cow’ to hug on 14 February”.
User LOLrakshak made a good point, saying, “Have the cows gotten the memo about Cow Hug Day on 14th Feb? I’m willing to do it, but please declare Free Hospitalization Day on 15th Feb.”
