NEW DELHI: India's government-run animal welfare department has appealed to citizens to mark Valentine's Day this year not as a celebration of romance, but as "Cow Hug Day" to better promote Hindu values. The Animal Welfare Board of India said on Wednesday that "hugging cows will bring emotional richness and increase individual and collective happiness." Devout Hindus, who worship cows as holy, say the Western holiday goes against traditional Indian values. Hardline political groups like Shiv Sena and Bajrang Dal say such actions pave the way to reassert Hindu identity. The animal welfare board's appeal asks people to go out and physically hug cows on February 14.

Source: Manila Times February 10, 2023 05:59 UTC