President of Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam Kolathur Mani said that his organisation, which held a public meeting at Nehru Park in the city on Saturday supporting Valentine’s Day celebrations, believed that love would lead to eradication of the caste system and emancipation of women, besides putting an end to social evils such as dowry system.
“Periyar also welcomed love, but he stressed on an intellectual understanding between the man and the woman, rather than mere emotional love,” he said. Mr. Mani wanted to know the viewpoint of Hindutva groups opposing Valentine’s Day celebrations on the love stories depicted in epics and puranas.
“They [the groups] are raising a banner of protest on the pretext of protecting culture and tradition because they are afraid events like Valentine’s Day will destroy the caste system they want to preserve.”