Shiv Sainiks to turn match-makers on Valentine Day

Varanasi, Feb 11 (UNI) In a sudden change of heart, the Shiv Sena here has decided to shelve its infamous image of heart-breakers for love birds, by deciding to wear the mantle of match-makers this Valentine Day.

''We have often been misunderstood as heart-breakers among love birds. This Valentine Day, however, we want to prove that the Sena is not against love, but is opposed to its vulgar and obscene presentation in public,'' District party president Gulshan Kapoor told UNI here today.

For shedding the inamous image of V'day spoilsports, ''We are going to play match-makers to those couples whose families are impeding their love from blossoming into marriage,'' Mr Kapoor maintained.

The new role is not only going to be confined to couples facing difficulties in ringing their wedding bells, but also the young couples who misuse public space under the guise V'day spirit will be taken by the Shiv Sainiks to their parents, who will then be asked to either reform them or marry them off.

''Donning the role of match-makers does not mean that we are going to tolerate any nudity or vulgarity in public space in the name of love on February 14. We call upon all love doves to reach out to us in case they are having problems from their families in marrying and we will help them out in starting their marital innings with due sanction of their parents,'' the Sena leader added.

Adding a condition, however, Mr Kapoor said ''The role reversal is not for helping Muslim boys marry Hindu girls, but our patrolling party will serve the nuptial cause only if both the boy and girl are Hindu or if the boy at least belongs to our community.'' The self-appointed cultural guardians, who have become synoymous to V'day across the country, however, made it clear that the role change does not imply that Sena has become supportive of the V'day.

''We will take out a torch light procession in the city on February 12 to caution that none of the youth make a mockery of public space in the name of love. The message is especially for the school children who are fast falling prey to the February 14 virus,'' Mr Kapoor said. All flower and gift shops, besides shopping malls and restaurants and parks will be on our surveillance this year also, he added.

UNI