As centre withdraws Cow Hug Day appeal, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor says let them hug their guy

The government has withdrawn its appeal to celebrate February 14 as 'Cow Hug Day'. The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), which comes under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, issued the appeal on February 6.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor joined the bandwagon today and tweeted his humorous take on the 'Cow Hug Day'. He said that the "let them hug their guy" instruction may have been misinterpreted as "gaay". 

"Was the Government cow-ed by the jokes made at its expense or was it merely cow-ardice? My guess is the original appeal was an oral instruction: “Valentine's Day: let them hug their guy” & the last word was misheard by a HindiRashtravadi as gaay,"  Tharoor tweeted.

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the appeal issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India for celebration of Cow Hug Day on 14th February 2023 stands withdrawn,” the AWBI order issued on February 10 read.

Was the Government cow-ed by the jokes made at its expense or was it merely cow-ardice? My guess is the original appeal was an oral instruction: “Valentine’s Day: let them hug their guy” & the last word was misheard by a HindiRashtravadi as gaay! pic.twitter.com/o7uPzBnlho

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) February 11, 2023