‘Patriotism Lessons’ for Indian Couples on Valentine’s Day

Officials from militant organisation Bajrang Dal have stated that unmarried couples “found wandering around on Valentine’s Day” across Telangana will be given patriotism lessons on the country.

They claimed that they met with Telangana DGP M Mahendar Reddy and appealed to him to stop Valentine’s Day celebrations.

This comes after the attack on soldiers on Valentine’s Day 2019.

VHP publicity convenor P Balaswamy said: “On this day last year, 45 of our brave soldiers were killed in a Pakistani-sponsored terrorist attack in Pulwama, J&K.

“How can we forget that cowardly act of our enemy and celebrate love?”

Balaswamy went on to say: “If we find lovers spending time at parks, malls, clubs, pubs, restaurants and other places this year, we won’t get them married [something the body has done in the past].

“We will counsel them on love for our nation and ask them to pay tributes to our brave martyrs.”

Balaswamy explained that the deaths of the soldiers will act as a “source of inspiration and bring a sense of patriotism”.

He added: “As many as 500 of our volunteers will be on the streets of Hyderabad on Friday.

“This is a state-wide programme, thousands of our volunteers are ready.”

On February 12, 2020, the VHP and Bajrang Dal activists carried out a rally near Koti, Hyderabad, and set over 200 Valentine’s Day greeting cards on fire in protest against the “invasive” culture.

Bajrang Dal members previously warned that they will create a commotion at businesses if they “lure” couples by promoting Valentine’s Day special offers.

Bajrang Dal state convenor Subash Chander said:

“Valentine’s Day is a poisonous western culture which is spreading in our country and morally corrupting the youth.”

“Several youngsters are spoiling their lives because of these western concepts. This foreign culture is deviating our youth.”

Chander added: “If we find any couple on February 14 on roads, we will ask them why they are roaming outside and call their parents.

“The couple will also be offered counselling sessions and then we will make them honour the slain soldiers by offering flowers and praising the soldiers.

“Valentine’s Day is being promoted by these pubs and hotels for their business.

“They have commercialised it for profit, so we have already given them letters warning them against the celebrations.”

The group has marked the day as Pulwama Martyrs’ Day. They have identified over 150 locations in the state where tributes will be paid to the soldiers.