Haryana Holi video: Drunk men force liquor in cow’s mouth as it pulls heavy cart. Clip sparks nationwide outrage, demands action on animal cruelty.
New Delhi: A disturbing 10-second video has been surfacing on social media showing a group of men exploiting a working animal. In this clip, men with covered in Holi colors are seen forcibly opening the mouth of a cow (or buffalo) and pouring liquid from green bottles—widely recognized as alcohol—into its throat.
At the time of the incident, the animal was already stressed, tied to a heavy cart on which people celebrating were riding. The animal appeared clearly distressed while the people around it remained oblivious, thus turning a sacred festival of joy directly into a display of cruelty.
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Violation of Law and Ethics
Social media users have flooded platforms demanding justice, tagging Haryana Police and animal welfare organizations. Under Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1960), causing unnecessary pain or suffering to any animal is a punishable offense.
Forcing livestock to drink alcohol is dangerous; it can cause acute toxicity, aspiration pneumonia, and severe long-term health complications. Besides physical harm, this incident also raises serious ethical questions regarding the treatment of animals, especially in a region that accords cows high cultural and religious significance.
Moreover, it highlights the contradiction between cultural reverence and actual practices on the ground. In addition, when an animal considered sacred is subjected to cruelty, it deepens concerns about societal responsibility and moral accountability.
Furthermore, such acts undermine the very values of compassion and protection that are often publicly advocated. Therefore, the issue is not limited to legal violations alone; it also reflects a broader ethical failure.
Consequently, this incident compels authorities and citizens alike to reflect on whether cultural symbolism is being upheld in spirit as well as in words.
Viral Sentiment : Joy and colours vs. Disturbing reality
One user (@shrishtiiKhanna) sharply criticizes the phrase “was allegedly forced into intoxication!” by pointing out the obvious visibility of such acts in videos or events.
Other replies echo this anger:
Calls of people being “brain dead” for defending or ignoring such behavior.
Demands for perpetrators to be “behind bars.”
Repeated shaming of men (“always a MAN! SHAME SHAME SHAME!!!”).
Offers of support and action (“I’m sure we can try… Let me see what details can be done”).
Common Allegations During Holi:
Holi celebrations frequently see spikes in reports of:
- Non-consensual touching or groping under the guise of applying colors.
- Forced coloring or spraying on unwilling people, especially women.
- Intoxication-related issues, including spiked drinks, alcohol-fueled harassment, or forcing substances on others (including rare but shocking cases involving animals, like viral videos of livestock being given alcohol).
- These often target women and sometimes children, turning public spaces unsafe.
Calls for Change and Safer Celebrations
- Festivals should spread positivity, not fear or abuse.
- Strict enforcement against drunk driving, forced acts, harassment, and intoxication without consent.
- Prioritizing respect, consent, and empathy—avoid forcing colors, use safe materials, and hold abusers accountable.
- Some suggest celebrating in controlled settings (with friends/family) to minimize risks.
Disclaimer: The viral video referred to in this post reportedly shows a buffalo, not a cow. However, the clip is widely circulating on social media under claims that it involves a cow. The clarification is being mentioned to avoid misinformation regarding the animal’s identity.
Regardless of whether the animal is a cow or a buffalo, any act of cruelty, forced intoxication, or harm toward an animal is condemnable and punishable under Indian law.