Valentine’s Day celebrations in the city were largely peaceful without any untoward incident on Sunday. Over 2,000 police personnel were deployed at different parts of the city, especially along the Marina and Elliot’s Beach where people gathered in large numbers.
However, Pulianthope police arrested 18 Hindu Munnani activists for trying to marry off two dogs, in protest of Valentine’s Day celebrations in the city. The members were later released.
Police sources said the protests lead by T. Ilangovan, general secretary of the Hindu Munnani’s Chennai wing, gathered at the Kutti Thambiran St junction in Pulianthope around 9.00 a.m. with two stray dogs that were garlanded. They raised slogans against Valentine’s Day celebrations and the influence of western cultural practices. Tension prevailed in the area at the time of the event and vehicular traffic came to a halt. A police team rushed to the spot and arrested the men immediately. Cases were booked against them under Section 151 (Arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences) of CrPC and the 18 men were released on bail in the evening. According to T. Ilangovan, the protest was attempted in order to show “aversion towards Valentine’s Day celebrations which is not part of Indian culture.”
“We are not against love, but we strongly disapprove of public display of affection by our youngsters through these kinds of celebrations,” he added.
