Amidst threats and counter threats, Karnataka is bracing itself for Valentine's Day on February 14.
The Shri Ram Sena's call for a boycott of Valentine's Day celebrations has not dampened the spirits of the younger crowd. They hardly show any signs of fear as they went about their V-Day shopping. Card shop salesmen in Bangalore say that the sales have not dipped and youngsters have been buying cards and other gifts like in previous years.
Meanwhile, several organisations have stepped in to ensure that Valentine's Day is celebrated normally in Karnataka. The Pragathipara Sanghatanegala Okkuta (group of progressive organisations) has invited all those who wish to celebrate V-Day to the famed Gandhi statue in the heart of Bangalore. The organisation says that everybody is welcome to come and exchange gifts with their loved ones. The leader of the organisation says it is inhuman for anyone to oppose love. Another organisation called the Karunada Sena says that it would help anyone who wishes to celebrate V-Day.
Meanwhile, a city lawyer A V Amarnath has filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court seeking a direction to the police to protect those who wish to celebrate Valentine's Day.
The police on its part claim they are ready to tackle any untoward incidents. State Police Chief Ajai Kumar Singh says that anyone creating trouble or intruding into others privacy will be dealt with firmly. "Superintendents of Police across the state have been directed to deal firmly with those creating trouble," he said.
But the Shri Ram Sena is firm on it stand on not allowing the celebrations. Sena chief and founder Pramod Muthalik says, "We will do what we have to do and let them do what they have to do. I assure you that our protest will be peaceful. We are only opposing Western culture and we have a lot of support, even from women. If people want to undertake a pub bharo programme or send lingerie to me, I don't care. It only reflects what their culture is and time will show that society is not with them. We are not here to stop people, we are just trying to ensure that our culture is protected."
Muthalik repeated his bizarre threat that couples found dating that day will be married off.
