As per the most recent situation report from the World Health Organization, there have been 132,758 confirmed cases of COVID-19 around the world, resulting in 4,955 deaths. As the world is adjusting to the ongoing pandemic, people around the globe are taking individual measures to prevent infection.
Today (Saturday, March 13), a Hindu group has hosted a cow urine (known as 'gaumutra') drinking party in an effort to ward off the COVID-19 coronavirus, Reuters reports.
Per the newsgroup, many Hindus consider the cow to be sacred, and it has long been believed that cow urine, milk, and dung have medicinal properties.
However, experts have repeatedly stressed that cow urine cannot cure illnesses such as cancer, and there is zero evidence to suggest that is can help prevent the infection from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
The "party" was hosted by a group called the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha (which translates to the All India Hindu Union). Two-hundred people attended the unique gathering, which took place at their headquarters in the India's capital.
Some videos of the event were later shared on social media:Now, the organizers are hoping to set up similar events elsewhere throughout the country.
One attendee, Om Prakash, told Reuters that he has been drinking cow urine and taking cow dung baths for 21 years, and that he sees no need to consume English medicine.
During the event, the chief of the All India Hindu Union Chakrapani Maharaj posed for photos as he placed a spoonful of cow urine near the face of a caricature of the coronavirus.
Chakrapani Maharaj, who heads one of the two groups that make up the Mahasabha, told The Print:
"Just like we organize tea parties, we have decided to organize a gaumutra party, wherein we will inform people about what is coronavirus and how, by consuming cow-related products, people can be saved from it."
Maharaj continued: "Upon using [the cow urine/dung products], the virus will die immediately. Vegetarians need not worry; it will not impact them. But still, as a precautionary measure, they can also start consuming gaumutra."
Per Vice, the Hindu Mahasabha is convinced that the reason India has seen a surge in cases is because some Telangana ministers angered the avatar of a Hindu god by eating chicken on a public stage.
The ministers under scrutiny from the group were ironically attempting to squash the rumor that eating chicken causes coronavirus.
Per the WHO, "there is no evidence that current medicine can prevent or cure" the COVID-19 coronavirus.