Animal Welfare Board withdraws appeal to celebrate Feb 14 as 'Cow Hug Day'

Amid criticism on social media, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) on Friday said it withdrew the appeal to celebrate February 14 as 'Cow Hug Day' following directions from the government.

"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the appeal issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India for the celebration of Cow Hug Day on February 14, 2023, stands withdrawn," the board's secretary, S K Dutta, said in the latest notice on its website.

The board said the earlier appeal was made because the Vedic traditions are almost on the "verge of extinction" due to the progress of Western culture.

Even the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Parshottam Rupala, had defended the appeal, saying that it would be good if people responded positively to the board's call.

It was for the first time that the AWBI had appealed to cow lovers in the country to celebrate 'Cow Hug Day'. The board's appeal erupted in controversy on social media with thousands of memes and jokes.

"The government has asked the board to withdraw the decision after the appeal received criticism. To avoid the wrong impression by the public, especially youth, against the government, it was decided to withdraw the appeal (sic)," said an official in the animal husbandry ministry.