Sri Rama Sene  turns rage on Valentine's Day

03-02-09 Terming Valentine’s Day as ‘Anti-Indian Culture’ Sri Rama Sene has now turned its rage on Valentine’s Day. At this charge, It’ll take all the fun out of Feb. 14. It has warned Educational institutions, Restaurants and other organizations not to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The warning applies to shops, which sell Valentine gifts and greetings. The activists got a shot in the arm, with their chief Pramod Mutalik and Mangalore pub attackers out on conditional bail. After his release from prison, SRS chief Pramod Mutalik said that ‘‘Valentine’s Day is definitely not Indian culture. We will not allow celebration of that day in any form in the state.’’ He said he would submit a memorandum to the chief minister, home minister and the governor on Tuesday asking them to stop the observance of the day. He further said: ‘‘We will inform the police department, besides cautioning hotels and other establishments not to celebrate it and create awareness among the youth through booklets.’’

SRS state convener Gangadhar Kulkarni was far more aggressive. He told reporters in Hubli: ‘‘If people celebrate the day despite our warning, then we will definitely attack them.’’ As far as pubs are concerned, SRS is adamant on its stand. When asked about its course of action if government refuses to stop pubs, Mutalik said: “In such a situation, countering pub culture needs a different strategy. We are discussing the strategy at our party meeting in Bangalore on Wednesday.’’ Mutalik said he was happy that the Sene is in the news after the pub attack. However, he regretted the way the girls were attacked, but wondered whether their parents support the culture the youngsters were following.

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