In a volteface, the Bajrang Dal has said it is not averse to Valentine's Day as long as the youth behaved decently on that occasion.
In a volteface, the Bajrang Dal has said it is not averse to Valentine's Day as long as the youth behaved decently on that occasion.
"We have no objections. We have always been worshipers of immortal love between Radha and Krishna," Bajrang Dal National Convener Prakash Sharma said.
Calling themselves "devotees of true love", the saffron outfit has said that youths across the country should celebrate love 365 days instead of just one day.
Asked what caused this change of heart, Sharma said they were not against the wishes of the youth who wanted to celebrate the day as a special occasion but their only demand was that decency was being maintained.
"We are just asking the youth to abstain from indecent and immoral behaviour on that day at public places like pubs and gardens," Sharma added.
The Dal's Delhi state convener Ashok Kapoor had written a letter to the Commissioner of Police seeking extra vigil at malls, pubs and multiplexes on V-Day.
He has also written to a number of pubs in the city impressing upon them the need to keep love a "private affair" and inform police in case of any indecent incident.
Bajrang Dal spokesperson Vinod Bansal stated that the move was taken up to ensure that women are not afraid to come out because of any indecent behaviour on V-Day.
Office bearers of the Dal, however, refused to comment on the conduct of Ram Sene. "We have no connection with them. Hurting women or behaving indecently with them is also against our culture," said Sharma.
The Bajrang Dal had earlier been involved in rampaging greeting card shops, pubs and restaurants protesting against Valentines' Day. Cadres of the Dal had also attacked couples on various occasions.
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