KARAH RUCKER: COWS IN INDIA WON’T BE GETTING ANY EXTRA LOVE THIS VALENTINE’S DAY. THE GOVERNMENT HAD WANTED TO CHANGE THE ROMANTIC HOLIDAY TO “COW HUG DAY” TO PROMOTE HINDU VALUES AND GIVE RESPECT TO THE ANIMAL THEY REGARD AS SACRED. 

BUT THEY WITHDREW THAT APPEAL WITH PEOPLE POLARIZED ON THE DECISION.

SUPPORTERS HAD SAID HUGGING COWS WOULD BE A HAPPY TRIBUTE TO AN ANIMAL THEY DEEM SACRED IN THEIR CULTURE. SO SACRED THAT MANY STATES IN INDIA HAVE BANNED THE SLAUGHTERING OF CATTLE.

BUT DEVOUT HINDUS ARGUE IT’S STILL A PLAY ON THE WESTERN HOLIDAY THAT GOES AGAINST TRADITIONAL INDIAN VALUES. THEY FROWN UPON VALENTINES DAY…SAYING IT PROMOTES PROMISCUOUS BEHAVIOR.

IN RECENT YEARS, SHOPS THAT SELL VALENTINE’S DAY ITEMS HAVE BEEN RAIDED AND BURNED, AND HAND-HOLDING COUPLES HAVE BEEN CHASED OUT OF RESTAURANTS.

ANY TAKE ON THE HOLIDAY…EVEN IF IT’S MEANT FOR THOSE GRAZING IN THE PASTURE…IS A NO-GO IN INDIA.