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Muthalik
warns Valentines, get married
Bangalore:
Sri
Rama Sena chief Pramod Muthalik has warned the Rama Sena
would vehemently oppose Valentine's Day celebration in
the entire Karnataka while Central minister for Women
and Child Development Renuka Chaudhary said that women
have the right to celebrate any day the way they want
to. Pramod Muthalik said couples planning to celebrate
St. Valentine's Day in Karnataka that they would be married
off with all rituals and traditions or get ready to tie
Rakhi (become brother and sister).
Sri
Rama Sena was involved in the recent pub attack incident
in Mangalore wherein the group activists allegedly abused
and beat up women visitors as they tried to run for safety
during vigilante attack. "We will get the men and women
who meet on February 14 married with all rituals and traditions.
And if they are brother and sister then they will tie
Rakhi (sacred thread that is tied to a brother). So we
will be performing this act in every district and every
region. The wedding will be conducted with video cameras,
music band and a priest," said the Sri Rama Sena chief.
The Ram Sena has threatened educational institutions,
restaurants and shops selling greeting cards and gifts
to boycott St. Valentine's Day celebrations.
Meanwhile, Renuka Chaudhary has said that women have the
right to celebrate any day the way they want, and the
state government should protect their independence. "It
is their (women's) right to celebrate a day whatever way
they choose to in a democracy. They are empowered by the
constitution to do what they think is right. And it is
our business and state government's business to give them
protection. So after these warnings if one incident happens
in Karnataka, we know that there is no law and order in
Karnataka. We know that there is total system's breakdown
and there are rules and laws which apply to that," said
Chaudhary. In the past, several hardline groups boycotted
the St. Valentine's Day celebrations, terming it as "cultural
corruption" from the West. But even violent protests against
the celebrations have not dampened the spirits of the
youngsters throughout the country.
-
Feb 5, 2009
