Valentine’s Day celebrations in Patna faced opposition as members of the Hindu Shiv Bhavani Sena protested against couples in public places, distributing copies of the Hanuman Chalisa. The group claimed that Valentine’s Day does not align with Indian cultural values and promotes obscenity. They insisted on celebrating February 14 as a day to honor the Pulwama martyrs instead.
Activists of the Hindu Shiv Bhavani Sena were observed opposing couples at various locations, particularly at Buddha Smriti Park near Patna Junction railway station. They distributed Hanuman Chalisa booklets to young men and asked couples to separate, emphasizing the need to uphold Indian cultural traditions. The organization expressed intentions to continue opposing Valentine’s Day celebrations, citing concerns over obscenity and “love jihad.”
Luv Kumar Shiv Rudra, the National President of the Hindu Shiv Bhavani Sena, mentioned that the group’s members were monitoring parks and public places in Patna and other parts of Bihar. He highlighted their efforts to combat what they perceived as “love jihad” and obscenity, advocating for reciting the Hanuman Chalisa instead of participating in Valentine’s Day activities. The organization urged the public to commemorate the Pulwama martyrs on February 14, emphasizing patriotism over romantic celebrations.
Authorities in Patna responded to the protests by placing police on alert to prevent any potential disturbances. Senior police officials emphasized that maintaining law and order was their primary concern and warned against individuals or groups taking the law into their own hands. Additional security personnel were deployed at key locations like Eco Park to ensure peace and prevent any untoward incidents.
