Valentine ’s Day rose is more ’Saffron’ than ’Red’ in M’lore

Mangalore, 14 Feb 2013: If you want to profess or announce your love out in the open for your Valentine on Thursday, the coastal city would be a bad choice. Several Hindu right wing groups have already issued warnings that they will not tolerate or allow the western concept of professing love on Valentine’s Day.

 

Taking a cue from earlier incidents, hotels and restaurants in the city have decided not to have celebrations. As a consolation, if one prefers quietude, many hotels will have candlelight dinners on the day.

 

Hotels here, first of all, are skeptical of the response to the event, if organized, because of the fear of moral police. Also, they do not want to be the target of vigilantes and ruin their business for the entire year by organizing an event on V-Day.

 

Deepa Comforts general manager Janardhan Rao said, "We have not planned anything as we have a wedding and a seminar on that day. Moreover, who wants to get into unnecessary trouble?"

 

His counterpart at Gold Finch KP Singh said, "We have not been having anything special for Valentine’s Day. We have arranged for a candle-light dinner at one of our restaurants. Hotel Gateway personnel said the hotel has not been organizing any event on the day. The usual buffet spread would be available."

 

Florist Umesh Kotyan said that in 2012 they had good order for roses. "This year we have not had much. May be the sales will pick up on Thursday,’’ he said.

 

Bajrang Dal convener Sharan Pumpwell has already sounded a warning regarding celebrating V-day.

 

"We will oppose any activity related to V-day. In the name of professing love obscene and immoral activities take place that are not part of our culture,’’ he said.

 

The organization has urged the district administration not to permit holding of DJ parties or dances to celebrate Valentine’s Day, warning that the administration will be responsible for any consequence that follows. "We will not oppose couple holding hands in park or the sale of greeting cards, though we are not for it. We will not take law into our hands and will inform police if anything immoral takes place,’’ he said.

 

DCP SPEAKS: We have warned Bajrang Dal and other organizations not to take law into their hands. We are prepared to prevent untoward incidents on Valentine’s Day. - Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) M Muthurayagalor.