For the past few days, the netizens across India had good field days on social media with jokes and jolts on the awkward announcement from the BJP regime's Animal Welfare Board, which asked the cow lovers in the country to celebrate the occasion of Valentines Day on February 14 as 'Cow Hug Day', where there were asked to hug the cows. 

On February 6, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), which comes under the jurisdiction of Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, issued a notification in which it has made the appeal to celebrate 'Cow Hug Day'. The board claimed that hugging the animal will bring 'emotional richness' thus increasing 'our individual and collective happiness'. 

The board further said that the cow has been referred to as the backbone of Indian cultural and rural economy. "We all know that the Cow sustains our life, represents cattle wealth and biodiversity. It is known as 'Kamdhenu' and 'Gautama' because of its nourishing nature like mother, the giver of all providing riches to humanity", the AWBI added. When the board expected a positive reception, it had never happened and on the other hand it went on to spark a nationwide backlash. 

The netizens had slammed the BJP government and the board and asked whether it has become a 'Cow Welfare Board'. The social media platforms were flooded with trolls and cartoons that attacked and ridiculed the announcement of Cow Hug Day. Several netizens mocked the BJP and its outfits and released visuals that had stirred a laugh riot.

Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena slammed the Cow Hug Day initiative and flayed Narendra Modi, claiming that Indian billionaire Gautam Adani was a 'holy cow' for the Prime Minister. Congress leader Rajni Patil said, "I am from a farming community. I hug my cow every day, not just one day, and this is only to divert the issues like unemployment and inflation." Marxist leader Elamaram Kareem said that Cow Hug Day is a ridiculous concept and a shame to the country. 

After a nationwide backlash, the AWBI had on Friday withdrawn its appeal. As the AWBI had backtracked, there would be no Cow Hug Day on February 14. In a statement released on Friday- February 10, 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the appeal issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India for celebration of Cow Hug Day on 14th February, 2023 stands withdrawn." 

The appeal issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India for celebration of Cow Hug Day on 14th February 2023 stands withdrawn. pic.twitter.com/5MvEbHPdBZ

— ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2023