New Delhi – A disturbing video circulating widely on social media since March 2 has sparked outrage over alleged animal cruelty in Haryana during Holi celebrations. The clip, which has garnered tens of thousands of views, shows a group of men with faces smeared in festive colours allegedly forcing liquor into a cow’s mouth from bottles while the animal is made to pull a cart carrying several people.

The incident is reported to have occurred amid Holi festivities, with Holika Dahan observed on March 2 and the main celebrations on March 3. Multiple Instagram and twitter accounts shared the footage, describing it as men opening the animal’s mouth to pour alcohol before riding in the cart it was pulling. Some viewers have debated whether the animal is a cow or a buffalo, but the clip has been widely referred to as involving a cow.

As of March 3, no official confirmation of the exact location has been issued by authorities, and Haryana Police have not released any statement on the matter. No arrests or FIRs have been reported in verified news outlets. Animal welfare laws, including provisions under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, prohibit such acts, and several social media users have tagged Haryana Police demanding an investigation.

The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee directly addressed the incident in an official X post on Tuesday, linking it to the ongoing controversy around the film The Kerala Story 2. The post stated:

“They made an entire film pushing a fictitious narrative that people in Kerala are being force-fed beef. Now in Haryana, a cow is allegedly force-fed alcohol. Absolute silence. No outrage from the self-appointed ‘Modi Bhakts’ brigade. No statement from the RSS. No prime-time debates.

Let’s not forget, Haryana has some of the most aggressive BJP-backed vigilantes who call themselves gaurakshaks... But when actual cruelty happens, suddenly everyone develops selective blindness. No complaint. No suo motu action. No police urgency. No court intervention. No bulldozers. So spare us the moral lectures. This ‘love for cows’ seems as authentic as certain leaders’ degrees.”

The post included the viral video and had received over 1,400 likes and significant engagement within hours.

The video has triggered widespread condemnation across platforms, with users describing the act as “blatant animal cruelty” and “unacceptable, especially during a festival.” Animal rights advocates and individuals have called for strict action, with comments such as “No animal should be force-fed alcohol” and tags urging authorities to intervene. Posts on X and Instagram have highlighted perceived hypocrisy in cow protection narratives, though many focus solely on the cruelty angle without political references.

Reputable outlets including Free Press Journal have reported the video as “alleged,” emphasising the lack of official verification while noting the public outcry. No mainstream national television debates or statements from RSS/BJP leaders were reported as of the evening of March 3.

The developments come amid heightened sensitivities around cow-related issues in India, but authorities are yet to respond to this specific case.