In India cows are safer than women and Muslims
In Hinduism, the largest religion in India, cows are considered holy. But in a country where violence against women and Muslims often makes international headlines, the government is criticized for glorifying and politicizing this animal while ignoring violence towards women and minorities .
During Modi’s Hindu nationalist administration, the cow has taken on further political significance and western traditions celebrated in India have been shut down by the government.
But as Hindu nationalist politics have taken hold in India, westernised holidays and traditions, especially Valentine’s Day, have drawn a backlash for promoting “corrupt” values.
Rightwing extremist groups, who have often engaged in the moral policing of women, have attacked shops selling Valentine’s cards and decorations and targeted couples seen holding hands.
Much of the anti-Valentine’s rhetoric has been targeted at women, alleging that the holiday encourages female promiscuity and vulgar behaviour.
Cow Hug Day is the latest initiative by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) government, led by the prime minister, Narendra Modi, to make reverence of the cow a nationwide policy.
According to the government statement, hugging a cow would bring “emotional richness” and would “increase individual and collective happiness”.
The move, however, prompted a flood of internet memes, cartoons and jokes about the importance of consent.
Image: Twitter/ @ChekrishnaCk
For days, media outlets mocked the government’s plan, publishing satirical cartoons showing cows running away from amorous men.
An anchor on one of India’s leading news channels, NDTV, was even filmed attempting to hug several cows, which appeared to reject his advances. “Consent is important,” he joked during the segment.
However, it is not the first time the government has caused a stir with its policies towards cows, the killing or eating of which is considered a sin by many Hindus.
Cows are holy within Hinduism, the majority religion in India, and are considered sacred animals across the country.
The sale and slaughter of cows is banned in much of the country and the animals are often left to roam free in the streets and roads, where motorists must avoid hitting them.
Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rise to power in 2014 on a wave of Hindu-nationalism, cows have become increasingly politicized, as they’re a Hindu nationalist symbol.
Pictured, Modi’s face on cow poop.
Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is strongly aligned with conservative Hindu traditions and critics say cow-worship has been used as a tool to intimidate, harass and even kill Muslims, who they accuse of disrespecting cows.
According to Human Rights Watch, cow vigilante crimes in India have been ignored or covered up by authorities since Modi took office.
During Modi’s 2014 election campaign, he promised to end a “pink revolution”, a phrase he used to describe the slaughter of cattle.
The statements led to outcry in a country where violence against women and minorities make frequent headlines.
In 2017, a photo series from photographer and activist Sujatro Ghosh portraying Indian women wearing cow masks went viral on social media. It was intended to depict a society in which cows are more valued than women.
Photo: Instagram/@sujatroghosh