For groups who oppose it, Valentine's Day in India has become a time for 'marrying' off animals, burning effigies and, of course, harassing couples. And more of the same happened on Wednesday.
In Bengaluru, activists of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) organised the wedding of a goat and a sheep. The animals were garlanded and their heads smeared with turmeric.
In Chennai, a fringe group, the Bharat Hindu Front, conducted the marriage rituals of a dog and a donkey in the Choolai area. Women members of the group reportedly carried plates commonly used in weddings during the ceremony. They were later detained by police.
In Ahmedabad, nearly 10 activists of the VHP and Bajrang Dal were arrested for harassing couples visiting Sabarmati Riverfront. Video footage showed members of fringe groups chasing couples.
In Hyderabad, Bajrang Dal activists set fire to effigies to protest Valentine's Day celebrations.
While all the aforementioned places seemingly witnessed incidents because of Valentine's Day being celebrated, officials at Lucknow University tried to act more prudent and declared a holiday on Wednesday on account of Shivratri.
In an advisory, the University said previously Valentine's Day was celebrated under the influence of western culture and asked parents not to send their children to college on Wednesday.
The University warned of action against anyone found roaming on the campus.
(With agency inputs)
