Anti, pro-Valentine's Day demonstrations in Bhopal

Bhopal : The Bajrang Dal has warned to disrupt the Valentine's Day celebrations in Madhya Pradesh, while a Women's Brigade took to streets in support of celebrations to mark the day.

Bajrang Dal activists marched through the streets of Bhopal, shouted slogans, put up posters and hoardings and distributed pamphlets to warn people, saying the western love festival violated India's cultural ethos.

"We want to tell the society that celebrating Valentine's Day is only going to cause harm to our future generations. At no cost will we let the Valentine's Day or the western culture undermine our traditions," said Vishal Purohit, Bajrang Dal district co-ordinator.

On the other hand, a Women's Brigade took out a demonstration in support of the celebrations.

Women took to the city's streets and shouted slogans like "let us love" and "long live Valentine's Day".

Demonstrators carrying maces symbolising women power and strength said that they would protect those celebrating the day against any group that may try to cause harm to them.

"Tomorrow, activists of Women's Brigade will protest against the Bajrang Dal, who are trying to create difficulties on the day," said Archana, President of the Women's Brigade.

The Shiv Sena and other right-wing organisations observe Valentine's Day as a day of shame and lust. In the recent years, countrywide protests, some of them violent, have taken place on the occasion.

Right-wing vandalism has become an annual feature on Valentine's Day, and activists regard festivities as running counter to India's cultural ethos.