Who moo-ted it, asks Cong as govt withdraws ‘Cow Hug Day’ appeal

NEW DELHI: Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) on Friday said it has withdrawn the appeal to celebrate February 14 as 'Cow Hug Day' following directions from the government.

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the appeal issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India for celebration of Cow Hug Day on 14th February, 2023 stands withdrawn," the board's Secretary S K Dutta said in a notice.

It was for the first time that the AWBI had appealed to cow lovers in the country to celebrate 'Cow Hug Day'.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took a swipe over the AWBI withdrawing its appeal following directions from the government, asking who had “moo-ted” the idea in the first place. “Who moo-ted the idea in the first place?” Congress general secretary Ramesh said in a tweet.

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’.