http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1166055.stm
Monday, 12 February, 2001, 11:45 GMT
Militant Hindu Valentine threat
Shiv Sena activists will target Valentine's Day celebrations
A hardline Hindu leader has threatened to disrupt Valentine's Day in India
saying it is against his culture.
Bal Thackeray, who heads the hardline Shiv Sena, has ordered his party
activists to target celebrations in India's commercial capital, Bombay.
Mr Thackeray said the day was a conspiracy by foreign companies to sell their
products in India.
"This shameless festival has been celebrated by our young people for the last
10 years, but it is totally contrary to Indian culture," he said in an article
in his party paper, Samna..
"We should focus on good work, good thoughts, love and harmony in our society,
and not let such Western culture spoil us," Mr Thackeray said.
"If the people don't get his message, we'll obey his orders and disrupt
Valentine's Day events," party official, Vinayak Raut, was quoted as saying by
the Reuters news agency.
"It's different from our Hindu culture and is corrupting the minds of young
teenagers," he added.
Violence
On Sunday, members of the hardline Hindu Bajrang Dal and Hindu Jagran Manch
attacked shops selling Valentine's Day cards in an upmarket area of Kanpur.
They said they would burn the cards which they alleged were "loaded with nudity
and sex".
The Uttar Pradesh state, in which Kanpur is located, recently outlawed beauty
pageants which they said were vulgar and demeaning to women.
Valentine's Day was virtually unknown in India until a few years ago, but it
has now become very popular among urban youth.
It has also become big business, as shops, restaurants and florists cash in on
its appeal.
This shameless festival... is totally contrary to Indian culture
Bal Thackeray Other right-wing Hindu organisations have attacked shops selling
Valentine's Day cards in the northern city of Kanpur.
Valentine's Day is popular with young urbanites
Shiv Sena activists say they plan to target beach and garden parties and other
festivities in Bombay. Search BBC News Online
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