Those of us who have grown up with a cow in our homes would say the cow is just like a family member, much like a dog or cat pet. The majority of rural people have hugged a cow, bathed it, and played with it; just ask your parents or grandparents and they will tell you the same.
The Government of India’s initiative of celebrating Valentine’s Day as ‘Cow Hug Day’ backfired because of several concerns regarding consent and its politicization. It became a viral meme; jokes over jokes were made about how ridiculous the concept sounded. The initiative was soon withdrawn.
The cow has become a politicized animal; however, its ground reality remains unchanged. You can’t walk down a single lane in Uttam Nagar on the west side of Delhi without encountering a sad-looking cow. It is not a new concept that the government came up with, people have been hugging cows or whichever animal they liked since the beginning of time and it will continue to happen in the future as well.
However, as someone who has lived in Delhi her whole life and seen cows walking crowded roads, looking lost, and scavenging Municipality dustbins for dinner; I would say a little kindness won’t do them any harm. So maybe don’t go around hugging cows unless both parties are willing, but do give them some food and a pat on the head on any day you like.
