Valentine’s Day: Bajrang Dal activists go on rampage in Madhapur, booked

Hyderabad: Cyberabad police has booked case against a group of Bajrang dal activists who had allegedly vandalised several shops in Madhapur area on February 14. Two cases were booked against the Bajrang dal activists, while five of them have been taken into custody. They will be soon sent to court, said the police.

The shops, which were decorated on account of Valentine’s Day, were subjected to vandalism by groups affiliated to the right-wing Bajrang Dal on Friday.

The youth-wing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), holding saffron flags and raising slogans such as ‘Valentines’ Day band Karo’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’, had damaged the Valentine’s Day decorations as well as property in the shops in Madhapur.

Case has been registered against the right-wing activists under section 34 of IPC as well as under sections of criminal trespassing and property damage. Police are currently verifying the CCTV footage and further investigation is underway.

For the past one week, the right-wing group has been warning people to stay away from celebrating Valentine’s Day citing that it is “against Indian culture”. The right-wing groups in Hyderabad have been moving in groups, demanding couples to stay indoors and threatening them of backlash. “February 14 should be celebrated as Pulwama Martyrs’ Day, instead of Valentine’s day. This Valentine’s Day is just imitation of western culture and should be banned. It is polluting the minds of youth in the country,” said Bajrang Dal state convenor Subash Chander.

Meanwhile, the videos of the right-wing groups attacking shops has been going viral on social media.