It’s a day of love but inevitably Valentine's Day entices a lot of hate in our country. ‘Unity in diversity’ is what India is revered for. Surprisingly, all the love, care, affection and warmth disappear in the lead to the V-Day.
With rapid cultural change in India, the number of heart-shaped balloons filling the streets of metropolitan cities on the V-Day has been increasing. The situation has called for attention from conservative groups protesting against Western values, represented by Valentine's Day.
Actions taken against this day include vandalism, where supporters of extreme right-wing groups have broken window panes of restaurants. This year Hindu Mahasabha managed to gain maximum attention after making irrational plans to marry off couples who profess their love for each other, either in person or through social media.
President of the organization, Chandra Prakash Kaushik has said that social media sites would be closely monitored and couples professing their love will be asked to get married. If denied, their parents will be pulled into the picture. It may be a loving gesture on their part, but why can’t we let them live their life? Who is Chandra Prakash Kaushik to decide their fate?
However, we cannot rule out the fact that India has come a long way from the constraints of rural feudalism, breaking down traditional mores and societal structures. But, how many couple in our country can openly declare a live-in relationship or talk in public about premarital sex. The ground reality remains that a live-in relationship is still looked down upon and ridiculed even in the so-called modern metros.
In the socially conservative Indian society, a kiss can put you behind the bars. One can be arrested for ‘obscenity’ under the Penal Code 294 (a), with a maximum sentence of three months.
Nevertheless, Valentine’s Day in India is still a mighty big business and the V-Day market may cross 22,000 crore this year, according to media reports. Few young hearts, madly deeply in love, believe everything is fair in love and war and refuse to curtail their PDA (public display of affection). At the end of the day, how can there be any kind of moral policing for people in love?
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There are few fearless people of Delhi and NCR who will go against societal norms to make it big on the V-Day and Skymet gets a glimpse of their big day, which will be brightened by pleasant weather conditions and ample sunshine. It was a perfect 'Awww' moment when Sunanda sent a message to here boyfreind through Skymet. On the other hand, we think Rohit will have to celebrate V-Day in his dreams with Leena, Sheena and Tina....