Ahad, Februari 15, 2009

Anti-Valentine's protests in India


In India, police arrested six members of a hard-line Hindu group for attacking and cutting the hair of three couples on Valentine's Day near the Taj Mahal - India's white-marble monument to love.

Meanwhile, members of another group vandalized a shop selling Valentine's cards and raided a restaurant looking for romantic couples in the Indian portion of Kashmir.

Public displays of love are frowned upon by the older generation in India. Kissing, holding hands and cuddling are all social taboos, though the influx of Western culture has made it a more common practice among younger couples.

The protests by groups like Shiv Sena - which says it is defending traditional Indian values from Western promiscuity - have become an annual event on Valentine's Day.
Authorities tightened security this year in major Indian cities in an attempt to prevent attacks.

India's economic surge in recent years has brought with it the trappings of Western culture, including McDonald's, MTV and Valentine's Day. Shops stock cards and chocolates, vendors sell red roses and restaurants offer romantic specials.