Shiv Sena renews Valentine's Day protests

Gwalior/Bhopal, Feb 8: The Shiv Sena and the Bajrang Dal have renewed their annual tirade against the celebration of Valentine's Day, wrecking preparations for it in Gwalior and Bhopal.

Shiv Sena activists burnt greeting cards and effigies symbolizing Valentines' Day celebrations and western culture in Gwalior. They warned residents to stay away from the festival of love. "We will not allow celebration of Valentine's Day in Gwalior," said Narendar Singh, a Shiv Sena leader. Bajrang Dal activists worshipped their batons at a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman.

Their activists warned residents that these batons would be used to oppose Valentines' Day preparations.

"We want to spread the message that love and affection can be displayed on any day. Why only on Valentine's Day on February 14," asked Chandrashekar Tiwari, a Bajrang Dal activist.

The Shiv Sena and other right-wing organisations observe Valentine's Day as a day of shame and lust. In the recent years, countrywide protests, some of them violent, have taken place on the occasion.

Right-wing vandalism has become an annual feature on Valentine's Day, and activists regard festivities as running counter to India's cultural ethos.

ANI