Sene Men Force Couples to Tie Either Rakhi Or Mangalasutra

Sene Men Force Couples to Tie Either Rakhi Or Mangalasutra

BANGALORE, Feb 15 : Though Valentine’s Day passed off peacefully in most parts of the State on Sunday, incidents of disruption by the moral brigade were reported from Gulbarga, Bellary and Haveri.

In Anekal on the outskirts of Bangalore, Sri Rama Sene activists carried out their threat by arranging the marriage of a couple, who were found in each other’s company in a park. The couple told a television channel that the activists had obtained the permission of their parents before conducting their marriage.

 

 

In Haveri, a group of activists went around the park near Hukkeri Math with a coconut, mangalasutra and other material required for marriage, as police remained mute spectators. The sene activists questioned a girl and a boy sitting on the lawn and they identified themselves as siblings. The activists asked the girl to tie a “rakhi” on the boy’s wrist, and she obliged even as the police watched.

In Gulbarga, activists of the Mathru Bhumi Seva Sanghatane gathered near a theatre on Aland Road and tore Valentine’s Day greeting cards. But, the police swung into action and arrested six persons.

In Bellary city, activists of the Sri Rama Sene suspected a cultural programme meant for families at a hotel to be a Valentine’s Day event and demanded its postponement by a day. But the organisers, who earlier reportedly agreed, later went ahead with the programme as scheduled, but with police protection.

However, except for the stray incidents of disruption, Valentine’s Day was celebrated across most parts of the State even as the police kept vigil at parks, restaurants, coffee bars and other romantic hot spots.

In Bangalore, a large number of love-struck couples were found strolling in shopping malls, besides visiting cafes and cinema halls. Shops and business establishments were decked up for the occasion. Dress material and heart-shaped pillows were much in demand.

But, the threat by vigilante forces kept many couples away from the city’s lung spaces such as Cubbon Park and Lalbagh, where the police and mobile patrol mounted a vigil.

Meanwhile, a statement from the office of the Director-General and Inspector-General of Police said 930 persons were taken into preventive custody, and 109 persons had been arrested in specific cases.

Bangalore City Police Commissioner Shankar M. Bidari said the police had taken 385 persons into custody on the suspicion that they would disturb peaceful celebration of Valentine’s Day.

Courtesy: The Hindu