Protests against Valentine's Day
Staff Reporter
MORAL POLICE: Activists of Muslim Girls Association of India hold a placard during a protest demonstration against Valentine's Day in the city on Wednesday. — PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABU
HYDERABAD: Protests marred Valentine's Day celebrations in the city on Wednesday, with several student organisations holding demonstrations.
Activists of Bajrang Dal, Hindu Vahini, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and Students Islamic Organisation organised separate protests in front of educational institutions and restaurants.
Pamphlets distributed
Hindu Vahini took out a rally from Saroornagar lake to Kothapet where they burnt Valentine's Day greetings cards while SIO held a silent protest in front of Arts College in Osmania University. The ABVP distributed pamphlets to college students at Dilsukhnagar and Kukatpally stating that such celebrations were against the Indian culture.
They entered restaurants and food joints and counselled youngsters -- mostly college students -- saying celebrating such events was against Indian customs. "Save Indian tradition and culture. In the name of love, don't participate in these celebrations," Hindu Vahini city general secretary R. Ramesh said while addressing the youth.
In some areas, youngsters fled from parks when Bajrang Dal activists tried to nab them for counselling along with their parents.
Police provided security at markets to prevent confrontations between activists and youngsters wanting to buy Valentine's Day cards. No violent incident was reported in any part of the city. Despite these protest programmes, thousands of youngsters celebrated Valentine's Day across the city going around eateries, buying cards and exchanging gifts with their beloved ones.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/15/stories/2007021521210300.htm
