Shiv Sena to oppose Valentine's Day celebrations in Capital

New Delhi, Feb 13 (UNI) Condemning observance of Valentine's Day as an example of increasing western influence over Indian society, the Shiv Sena today said it would strongly oppose the celebrations tomorrow.

In a statement issued here, Shiv Sena Delhi chief Jai Bhagwan Goel said,''there are already a number of festivals like Holi, Diwali, Eid and Rakshabandhan to celebrate the spirit of love.

Where, then, is the need to celebrate a vulgar display of love as marked by a festival like Valentine's Day.'' In this context, Mr Goel issued a warning to various companies, hotels, schools and colleges planning to organise various programmes on Valentine's Day as well as the manufacturers of Archies cards to desist from holding such programmes.

Mr Goel said the Shiv Sena would not allow any celebrations tomorrow.

Meanwhile, a non governmental organisation 'Bhartiya Paksh', has called for observing Valentine's Day as anti-AIDS Day.

Claiming that the culture of St Valentine's Day and AIDS went together, the general secretary of the body O P Trehan said,''prior to observance of Valentine's Day, there was no AIDS. The young generation is being provoked and tempted through Page 3 culture for free and open sex.

UNI