Right-wing groups are set to disrupt the Valentine's Day celebrations this year too. Bajrang Dal, which propagated celebrating the day as "matra-pitra diwas" last year is set to launch a week-long "balidan saptah" this year in the memory of martyrs like, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev. Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists threatened to drag courting couples to Arya Samaj mandirs for summary marriages.
Bajrang Dal national president Rajesh Pandey said they would not be putting any "restrictions" on couples but would launch the "balidaan saptah" celebrations across the country to wean away youngsters from the "Western influence". Claiming that the V-Day celebrations were on the wane in all major cities, Pandey said, "Our youth must be nationalist rather than blindly following foreign culture."
VHP's Ajju Chauhan said the activists would be on the lookout for courting couples on V-Day. "We will take all such couple to the nearest Arya Samaj mandir and get them married," he said, claiming that arrangements to conduct such marriages would be put in place two days before February 14.
A young couple, on the condition of anonymity, told TOI that such threats from the right-wing groups do make them uncomfortable, but do not deter them from celebrating the festival of love. "From Sunday onwards, I'd give her a gift every single day," the young college-going boy said.
Mridula Bawai, owner of Hallmark Anugraha at Sanjay Place, said arrangements are already in place for Feb 14 and the week preceding that. "Celebrations would start from Sunday, the Rose Day, and we are stocking gifts for each and every day," she said, adding that business grows around this time every year.
Pankaj Agarwal, owner of Vatica flower shop at Sanjay Place, said orders for roses have already gone up by 50% and would go even higher in the coming days. "Chocolate bouquet is likely to be a hit this season," Agarwal added.
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Bajrang Dal Valentine’s Day threat irks youth
Bajrang Dal Valentine’s Day threat irks youth
THE ASIAN AGE. |
AKSHAYA KUMAR SAHOO
Published : Feb 13, 2017, 2:03 am IST
Updated : Feb 13, 2017, 6:40 am IST
The group said it wants to protest against “westernisation” of Indian culture.
Bajrang Dal members Sunday said they will marry off boys and girls seen together at parks. (Representational Image)
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha unit of the Bajrang Dal will go on ‘moral policing’ patrols at parks, eateries and shopping malls in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, Valentine’s Day, Bajrang Dal activist Bhubesh Nayak said Sunday.
The group said it wants to protest against “westernisation” of Indian culture.
Bajrang Dal members Sunday said they will marry off boys and girls seen together at parks.
“Valentine’s Day celebration will be protested as a whole. If any couple is found involved in an indecent act or in a compromising position at public places, we will force them to marry in presence of their guardians,” Mr Nayak said.
The youth in Odisha’s capital, however, are disappointed with the Bajrang Dal’s “threat”. They want to celebrate Valentine’s Day properly.
“We are eagerly waiting for Valentine’s Day. This is the day when we express our love. Moral policing by Bajrang Dal in Odisha has always caused panic for us,” said Saibalini Samal, a student of Ramadevi Women’s University.
“We never support their act of forcing couples to marry,” she added.
The police has made tight security arrangements to maintain law and order, deputy commissioner of police Satyabrat Bhoi said.
“Police will be deployed at malls, parks and some public places to avert any untoward incident. Anybody found disturbing law and order will be taken to custody,” he said.
http://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/130217/bajrang-dal-valentines-day-threat-irks-youth.html
Bajrang Dal vows for moral policing on V-Day
Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the Valentine’s Day, Bajrang Dal has threatened to make rounds of the parks, eateries and shopping malls in the City to protest against the ‘westernisation’ of Indian culture. They announced to solemnise the marriage of boys and girls in presence of their parents in full public view at the place where they will be caught.
“The Valentine’s Day celebration will be protested as a whole. If any couple is found involved in indecent act or in a compromising position at public places, we will force them to marry each other in presence of their guardians”, district convenor of Bajrang Dal, Bhubesh Nayak said.
The young love birds have not supported the moral policing of the saffron brigade.
“The young boys and girls are excited over the Valentine’s Day, but feared to celebrate it. We never support their act of forcing the couple to marry each other”, said Ankita, a student.
On the other hand, elaborate security arrangements have been made to keep an eye on nuisance creators and ensure peace, DCP Satyabrat Bhoi said.
“Police forces will be deployed at malls, parks and some public places to avert any untoward incident. Anybody found creating law and order situation will be taken to task”, he added.
https://odishatv.in/odisha/body-slider/bajrang-dal-vows-for-moral-policing-on-v-day-193879/
Oh the irony..
Congrats Indians for curbing social rights of human using Hinduism..That explains what whole world is paranoid about now days..