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Right-wing Hindu party to force marriage on couples displaying public affection
The Australian - February 7, 2009
Amanda Hodge, New Delhi – It could be a bloody Valentine for young lovers on the streets of India.
The right-wing "saffron hooligans", who prompted outrage among India's young middle class last month by attacking women drinkers in a pub in Mangalore, say they will continue their morality drive with a crackdown on Valentine's Day, next Saturday.
The Hindu nationalist Sri Ram Sena has vowed to force marriage on any couples showing unwarranted public displays of affection.
Sri Ram Sena leader Pramod Muthalik held a press conference this week to announce that his activists would be patrolling the streets, armed with a stub of turmeric, a mangalsutra (or bridal necklace) and a priest. (Turmeric paste is used to anoint the bride and groom's hands and feet on their wedding day).
"If we come across couples being together in public and expressing their love we will take them to the nearest temple and conduct their marriage," he said.
Mr Muthalik, who is out on conditional bail following the January 24 Sena attack at the Amnesia pub in Mangalore, has also undertaken to prevent the sale of Valentine's Day cards by sending foot soldiers to newsagents across the south.
Valentine's Day constitutes something of a lightning rod in India, which is still struggling to reconcile traditional values with the growing influence of the West.
The Indian High Court in New Delhi this week threw out a case against a newly married couple who were charged under the obscenity act for kissing in public.
In the wake of that decision, New Delhi Police commissioner YSDadwal has promised to place officers at major malls and shopping centres across the city to prevent harassment by the 'moral brigade'.
Bangalore police are also limbering up for a Valentine's Day clash with the self-appointed moral enforcers and are reportedly considering taking Mr Muthalik and other Sri Ram Sena leaders into preventive custody.
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