Almost like a yearly ritual, the Telangana unit of the Bajrang Dal (BD) has voiced its objections against the celebration of Valentine's Day in the state this year as well.
The group today demanded that the state government issue a ban on the upcoming February 14 celebrations, and even released a poster on the issue.
Addressing the media on the matter, staff convenor of the group Subash Chander said that the group would organise a burning of Valentine’s Day greeting cards on February 12 to register their protest against the celebration of the festival, and would organise a program in honour of the martyrs of the country on February 14 to celebrate their sacrifices.
He warned the couples in the state planning to celebrate the festival that BD activists would also hold a continuous program of performing forced marriages of couples if they were spotted outside on Valentine’s Day.
Citing concerns about the "misleading" influence of Western culture on the country, the Bajrang Dal often makes demands for bans on various "un-Indian" aspects of popular culture.
Last year too, the group had issued
warnings to couples to refrain from celebrating the festival in public spaces.