‘Zero intention of integrating’: Row over Texas family welcoming ‘gau mata’ home for housewarming; Indians say better than alcohol party

A video of two cows taking a tour inside a new house on the occasion of housewarming has been doing the rounds as it caught the attention of India-hating Texas commentators who condemned the ‘zero intention of integrating’. The video was originally posted on the Facebook page of Texas Gaushala in January this year. “Family welcoming Gau Mata (Mother cow) from Texas Gaushala on the auspicious occasion of their house-warming (Griha Pravesh) ceremony. The sacred presence of Gau Mata during house-warming invites prosperity, protection, and divine blessings into the new home,” the post read. Calling the mindset ‘prehistoric’, am X handle shared the video which went viral riding on the present anti-India atmosphere in Texas. “When the house is brand new but the mindset is prehistoric. Welcome to Texas: Buy a brand-new million dollar house in a Dallas suburb, then let cows wander across the marble floors like it’s a barn. Zero intention of integrating,” the post read, facing equal amount of praise and hatred for Indians and Indian culture.

Several social media users pointed out that it was the owners’ discretion how they wanted to do their housewarming, while several others pointed out that it is better than an alcohol party. “Strange world we live in: A house-warming with alcohol is called ‘modern,’ but welcoming a sacred living being- the symbol of life and sustenance -is called ‘prehistoric.’ To some, a house is just bricks and mortar. To us, it is a temple. We don’t just move into a space; we invite Prana (life force) into it first. If Nandi is happy, the home is blessed,” one wrote. “Jesus Christ. This is likely in a residential area. Not zoned for agriculture, which is what is required to have livestock on property. Why do we allow these newcomers to flaunt all of our laws? We need to start making a lot of noise at these zoning meetings. Disgrace,” another wrote. While Texas is one of the states with the highest Indian population, the hate is visibly growing, with Texas Governor Greg Abbott freezing H-1B hiring in state agencies and universities. Texas has also announced an investigation into three Indian firms that hired H-1Bs in the past seeking the details of these employees.