Guwahati: A district in Madhya Pradesh observed “Cow Hug Day” on Tuesday when the rest of the globe was enjoying Valentine’s Day.
The district of Jabalpur reportedly observed “Cow Hug Day.”
Mahamandaleshwar Swami Akhileshwaranand Giri, the working committee chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Gopalan and Pashudhan Promotion Board, observed cow hug day by doing cow worship at his residence in the district.
He was quoted by ANI saying, “Today is celebrated as Valentine’s Day and we are against it because this day neither creates compassion, nor affection, nor affinity, nor affection, nor love, it only creates lust. That’s why we protested against it and gave a call to celebrate Cow Hug Day.”
“We supported the organisation (Animal Welfare Board of India) which appealed to celebrate it. Nonetheless, later the organisation withdrew its appeal but our support was not withdrawn, and we appealed to the people to hug the cow and go near the cow. When we go near the cow, then only we will be able to understand the importance of the cow, so we have started it,” he said.
Giving a message to the youth, Swami Giri said, “Do love nature, love is natural for us, but we should not use love as lust. Love should be such that it lasts for life. At present Vasantutsav (Spring season) is going on and you should also participate in it, so to keep your mind pure, do pure love and love with nature.”
On the other hand, some women were seen giving cows hugs and feeding them grass in observance of the “Cow Hug Day.”
A woman, Jyoti Jain told ANI, “Today, we are celebrating Cow Hug Day. We strongly oppose Valentine’s Day which is celebrated on February 14. On the appeal of Swami Akhileshwaranand Giri, we celebrated it and will celebrate it every year.”
The AWBI previously made a call for people to observe Cow Hug Day on Valentine’s Day (February 14).
Later on, in a statement, the AWBI 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the appeal issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India for the celebration of Cow Hug Day on 14th February, 2023 stands withdrawn.”