Members of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha set fire to teddy bears and trampled rose flowers in Agra, symbolising their rejection of the event.
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – Several Hindu organisations across different regions of India staged protests, denouncing the Valentine’s Day celebration as imposition of foreign culture. Incidents of harassment, violence and vandalism were reported from various cities, sparking concerns over the safety and security of individuals.
In the national capital, a group known as Citizens for Equality led a demonstration voicing concern over criminalisation of consensual sex under Section 69 of the Indian Penal Code. The protesters highlighted the discriminatory nature of the law and its potential for misuse, demanding its reconsideration by the government. They emphasised the need for a thorough examination of the legislation’s constitutionality, citing instances of false allegations and the erosion of fundamental rights.
Similarly, in Hyderabad in Telangana, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal urged people to refrain from celebrating Valentine’s Day, advocating instead for the observance of Veer Jawan Day in remembrance of the soldiers martyred in the Pulwama attack. They condemned Valentine’s Day as a manifestation of foreign culture, asserting that it contradicts Indian values. The organisations identified several locations for memorial ceremonies in honour of the fallen soldiers, promoting the narrative of patriotism over romantic love.
In Uttar Pradesh’s Farrukhabad, the Hindu Mahasabha issued a directive warning unmarried couples against celebrating Valentine’s Day in restaurants or hotels. They threatened to forcibly marry couples found engaged in festivities, emphasising the preservation of traditional values and the prevention of perceived moral degradation. The Hindu Mahasabha’s women’s wing conducted rituals and pledged to monitor public spaces, vowing strict action against any display of obscenity.
In the historic city of Agra, members of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha staged a protest outside Subhash Park, decrying Valentine’s Day as incompatible with Indian culture. They set fire to teddy bears and trampled rose flowers, symbolising their rejection of the event. The group asserted that celebrating Valentine’s Day was contrary to their beliefs and urged individuals to commemorate martyr’s day instead, honouring the sacrifice of Pulwama martyrs.
In Etah, VHP and Bajrang Dal workers disrupted public spaces, including dhabas, hotels, and parks, wielding sticks and causing chaos. Reports emerged of clashes with law enforcers and instances of harassment directed at couples. Reports of protests also came in from Muzaffarnagar of Uttar Pradesh, and Gwalior of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh’s Durg.
Despite the protests and disruptions, individuals across the country continued to mark Valentine’s Day, expressing affection for their loved ones through traditional customs such as exchanging cards and flowers. However, the events of the day served as a reminder of the ongoing cultural and ideological divide within Indian society, with conflicting interpretations of love, tradition, and modernity shaping public discourse.
In the complex tapestry of India’s social fabric, Valentine’s Day stands as a symbol of both love and contention, reflecting the diverse perspectives that define the nation’s identity.
