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Bhubaneswar (Orissa) : The Bajarang Dal and ABVP, two frontal outfits of the rightwing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, on Saturday announced to stall celebrations of Valentine’s Day in Orissa.
Terming the celebrations as a mockery of India’s great cultural heritage, the Saffron activists said, they would force to chase love birds in State Capital and other places, in case, they ventured into celebrations.
“We would protest and stop any kind of such celebrations,” ABVP State secretary Sanjay Das said. He said that the Parishad members would man various parks and amusement locations to stall Valentine’s Day celebrations.
With this, love birds, those who are expecting a great Sunday and hoping for coffee, lunch or dinner at restaurants, pubs, malls, hotels and various parks here, might face Saffron wrath.
The Saffron members would take out rallies in several places of the State urging the youths not be part of the celebration, which they called it as foreign culture.
"We are very critical about Valentine's Day," said Tattodarshi Nayak an ABVP leader said adding "We are for civilised love and affection".
However, the protesters appeared to be fighting a losing battle in the State, where a self claimed booming economy has brought with it all the trappings of Western culture, including McDonald's, MTV and of course, Valentine's Day.
Shops stock Valentine's cards and chocolates, vendors boost prices of red roses and restaurants offered romantic specials.
Meanwhile, Valentine's Day may infuriate many in the State groups, but the festival signals boom time for the rose growers.
Valentine's Day, the day of lovers, is no longer confined to just roses, chocolates and cards. With the mobile phone revolution in the country, lovers are using the hi-tech mode to express their love and the telecom companies are reaping the profits.
The telecom war has taken on a whole new aspect, with the players coming out with attractive Value-Added Services (VAS) like e-dating, e-greetings, e-roses, quiz contests and love calculators.
"In Orissa, it's even more special given the popularity of Bollywood and regional songs etc. which people set as their Ringtones, Caller Tunes and gift each other. VAS usage therefore sees a significant growth during such periods," said a Mobile service provider.
Security would be remained tight at several places, police sources said.
“The public can celebrate Valentine’s Day. In case they are prevented from celebrating, they can lodge a complaint at any police station. We will initiate stringent action against trouble-makers,” a senior cop said.
