Shashi Tharoor takes dig at Animal Welfare Board for withdrawal of 'Cow Hug Day' appeal

New Delhi, Feb 11: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday took a swipe over the Animal Welfare Board of India withdrawing its appeal to celebrate February 14 as 'Cow Hug Day', asking whether the government was "cow-ed" by the jokes made at its expense or was it merely "cow-ardice".

Tharoor's dig came a day after the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) said it has withdrawn the appeal to celebrate February 14 as 'Cow Hug Day' following directions from the government amid widespread criticism on social media.

Reacting to the development, Tharoor said on Twitter, "Was the Government cow-ed by the jokes made at its expense or was it merely cow-ardice?"

"My guess is the original appeal was an oral instruction: 'Valentine's Day: let them hug their guy' & the last word was misheard by a Hindu Rashtravadi as gaay!'," the former Union minister said.

The withdrawal of the appeal came just a day after Union minister Parshottam Rupala said it will be good if people respond positively to the call given by the board to celebrate February 14 as 'Cow Hug Day'.

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the appeal issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India for celebration of Cow Hug Day on 14th February, 2023 stands withdrawn," the board's secretary S K Dutta said in a notice posted on its website.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

For the unversed, Cow hugging refers to the act of embracing or cuddling with cows. This practice has become popular in some parts of the world as a way to promote animal welfare and connect with nature. Cow hugging is seen by some as a form of therapy, as it can be relaxing and calming to spend time with these gentle animals.

Meanwhile, Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated annually on February 14th, primarily in Western cultures. The holiday is named after Saint Valentine, a Roman martyr, who was said to have been imprisoned for performing marriages for Christian couples.

However, in modern times, this V-Day has become a holiday associated with romantic love and affection. Couples exchange gifts, cards, and flowers, and often celebrate with candlelit dinners or other romantic gestures. The holiday is also an opportunity for friends and family to express their love and appreciation for one another.