MEERUT: If you thought you can stay indoors and avoid being forced into marriage on Valentine’s Day by the Hindu Mahasabha, here’s reason to think again – the saffron outfit’s leaders say they are monitoring social networking sites, and those posting love-you messages will be caught hold of and forced to tie the knot.
“Display of love in the entire Valentine’s week is equivalent to not following Indian traditions. Anyone found displaying love on Facebook, Twitter or WhatsApp will be caught hold of. A total of eight teams have already been formed in Delhi to keep a check on social media,” said Chandra Prakash Kaushik, national president, Hindu Mahasabha.
The right-wing outfit had earlier warned that couples found celebrating Valentine’s Day in public places, like malls and restaurants, will have to face a variety of punishments. While an impromptu Arya Samaj wedding will be forced on Hindu couples, inter-faith partners will have to sit through a ‘shuddhikaran’ (purification) ritual, the Hindu Mahasabha had said.
The outfit had said the couples caught with roses in hands and those who indulge in public display of affection at malls and parks will be their prime targets.
However, after their new diktat, it seems even social media is on their radar.
“We will be prompt about our social media campaign from Feb 8 onwards. Once Delhi elections are over, our teams will first apprise masses about what true love is and that a western festival should not be celebrated in the country. But if they do not adhere to our advice, we will inbox them and ask for their contact numbers and addresses, reach their house and get them married,” Kaushik said.
“If they refuse to share their numbers, we will contact their parents — especially those who are active online — and ask them to get them married if they really love each other,” the Mahasabha president said.
But like Kaushik, even cops have their plans.
Inspector general Alok Sharma told TOI: “It might be Valentine’s Day or any other day, no one has the right to do moral policing. But if the members of the outfit involve themselves in any such activity, they should be ready to face legal action.”
