COMPARED TO previous years, the protest by members of the saffron brigade on Valentine’s Day was very muted this year. In earlier years, greeting card shops had been damaged and in some cases young couples out on a ride had been forcibly stopped and abused. This year nothing of this sort happened, and flowers and greeting card shops did brisk business.
The Bajrang Dal activists armed with miniature tridents assembled at Rajwada today where they burnt the effigy of Saint Valentine. Shouting slogans against imposition of western culture through celebration of St Valentine, and in favour of ‘pure’ Indian culture, the activists exhorted youths not to ape the west, and also warned them of dire consequences if they did.
There was heavy police presence at Rajwada, but the Bajrangis only confined themselves to burning the effigy and then dispersed.
At the Regal Crossing, it was a Shiv Sainik show. Led by Manoj Sharma, the Sainiks shouted slogans against Saint Valentine and in praise of Indian culture.
Police sources said that they had come to know that the Sainiks might take law into their own hands and as a precaution they arrested 46 Sainiks and took them to the district jail from where they were later released. Part of the credit for ensuring that things passed off peacefully goes to the police, who kept vigil at all the major intersections to stop any rowdiness by saffronites.
Special arrangements were also made to check greeting card and flower shops throughout the day, especially during the morning hours. Unofficially, just to avoid any tension, the shop owners had been told not to overtly publicise the day and attract attention of the saffron brigade.
Special arrangements were also made to check greeting card and flower shops throughout the day, especially during the morning hours. Unofficially, just to avoid any tension, the shop owners had been told not to overtly publicise the day and attract attention of the saffron brigade.