Two right wing religious groups opposed to each other – Hindu Makkal Katchi and Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamat (TNTJ) – seem to have found a rare common ground as both plan to oppose Valentine’s Day celebrations in Tamil Nadu terming them an “affront to the culture and values of our society”.
While the Hindu Makkal Katchi has claimed it will publicly burn the photographs of couples indulging in public display of affection at an event planned near Kannagi Statue on the Marina Beach, members of the TNTJ said they will embark on a state-wide propaganda to reach out to “misguided youth”.
Speaking about the event, S.R. Kumaravel, state secretary, Hindu Makkal Katchi, said instances of lovers kissing and embracing each other in public places had increased and it was destroying the social fabric of the society. “We will be burning photographs showing couples kissing and embracing each other. In the name of love, these youngsters are crossing the line,” he said, adding, “Last year, we planned to bring the ‘ thali ’ with an intention to get the couples married. But we were stopped by the police. Next year, we will surely make it happen.”
A TNTJ spokesperson echoed this sentiment: . “We will give out notices against this day. What these people are doing in the name of love is not love at all. It is about lust.” A series of posters from the Muslim organisation claims that Valentine’s Day was invented to “rape and destroy the chastity of women”. Another one asks : “Do we need a day to lose chastity?”
