Fear invades love's citadel in lovelorn Gujarat

AHMEDABAD\VADODARA\ RAJKOT: It will not just be ‘love in the air'' when young hearts wake up on Saturday to another Valentine''s Day. Threats issued by the VHP, its women''s wing — the Durga Vahini and Shiv Sainiks in various parts of the state have led to tension as fear and apprehension weigh on the minds of young revellers.
The tradition of offering roses to the loved ones may take a backseat as these selfappointed ‘moral police'' vow to take to the streets, chastising those who choose to follow a "western concept like Valentine''s Day." And, given the militant mood of the protesters — who burnt Valentine cards in Ahmedabad on Thursday and have threatened ‘surprise moves'' in Vadodara and Rajkot — few may be willing to risk a chance on Saturday.However, the Ahmedabad police are not expecting much trouble as many within the force feel: With elections round the corner, the Sangh Parivar outfits go on to invite the wrath of the people. But Ahmedabad joint commissioner of police CP Thakur is taking no chances.
" Patrolling will be stepped up and the police will be ready to tackle any exigency. Mobile vans will keep a close watch over Valentine Day celebrations," he says.
"A close watch will be kept on greeting card shops and popular eating joints in the city, and especially on CG Road," said Thakur. The ball was set rolling in Ahmedabad when members of the Durga Vahini, citing the example of Bijal Joshi gangrape case, declared the celebrations as a concept alien to Indian culture. Bijal Joshi was gangraped by four persons after a New Year''s party.
The Durga Vahini campaign outside the university and college campuses will be aimed at the youth by highlighting the plight of Bijal Joshi. "She chose another ‘western''date — the English New Year — to make merry with friends and ultimately paid for her life," say campaigners. The campaign is also aimed at parents who will be told about the ‘vulnerability'' which comes along with western influences."
Meanwhile, VHP activists in Vadodara held a meeting that went on till late in the evening to discuss their ‘strategy'' on Saturday.
Sources told TNN that a list of spots where celebrations are expected to be at their height had been drawn up. "We''ve ordered for heavy bandobast near spots where programmes like dances and fashion shows have been planned," said Vadoadara police commissioner Sudhir Sinha.
But in Rajkot, people were forced to wait with bated breath after the Saurashtra wing of the Shiv Sena refused to divulge their plans. ‘Surprise moves'' across the city aimed at "spreading awareness about the harmful effects of aping western culture" seems to be the aim. Fear invades love''s citadel in lovelorn Gujarat Students of MSU exchange wishes on Valentine''s Day eve.