Opponents claimed that he wanted to inflict a defeat on the judiciary ahead of a law reform later this year, and that he also hoped to cow the president as part of a broader strategy aimed at taking over the presidency himself and giving Italy what his admirers say would be a more decisive form of presidential government.

ECONOMIST: Italy and the right to die

"Krishna protected cows as sacred animals and we are delighted to celebrate the cow at this year's festival, " said President of the Temple, Srutidharma Das.

BBC: Janmashtami: A celebration on Krishna's birthday

And still to come, if it ever gets produced, is Sacred Cows, with a script by the unblushing Joe Eszterhas, writer of Basic Instinct and Showgirls, about a President caught in sexual congress with a cow.

CNN: All The Presidents' Movies