Moral police finally bow to Valentine's Day

Love, as they say, always wins. A Shiv Sena leader in Delhi admitted his group was not protesting against Valentine's Day any more - because no one is listening.

"Since last year, we are not going for any kind of demonstration on this day," Shiv Sena's Delhi convenor Om Dutt Sharma told IANS.

"What is the use? What is the point of doing such protests? We cannot stop them from celebrating, and we are getting a bad reputation among them."

Bajrang Dal's Vinod Sharma echoed the sentiment.

"Earlier, we used to object to Valentine's Day celebrations and tell couples whom we found together to get married, otherwise we would hand them over to police or parents.

"But since last year we have lessened our opposition," he added.

Delhi Police agree their job has become easier on Feb 14.

A senior officer said: "Since last year our job seems a bit easier as the moral brigade has lost some of its enthusiasm. They are not playing spoilsport or targeting love-struck couples."

Nevertheless, police are not taking any chances.

Delhi Police Tuesday deployed additional forces at malls, pubs, restaurants and markets to keep a tab on mischief makers trying to disrupt peace and damage property on Valentine's Day.

"We have taken measures to ensure that people are safe and no individual or group harasses people in the name of moral policing," Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat said.