Right-Wing Organizations in Bhopal Conduct Dand Pujan Ritual as Symbolic Protest Against Valentine's Day
In a dramatic cultural statement, members of various right-wing organizations gathered in Bhopal on Friday to perform dand pujan—the ritual worship of sticks—invoking the traditional maxim "spare the rod and spoil the child" with a contemporary twist. This symbolic act was explicitly framed as a warning against the celebration of Valentine's Day and what participants described as the growing influence of Western ideas on Indian social values.
Leaders Issue Stern Warnings Against "Obscenity in the Name of Love"
Rakesh Prajapati, the prant mantri of Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad, delivered a forceful warning against what he termed "obscenity in the name of love." To enforce this message, the organization deployed twelve dedicated teams to monitor key public locations across the city. These included popular spots such as Kaliashot Dam, Manisha Lake, Manubhan Ki Tekri, and Chinar Park, where Valentine's Day celebrations are often observed.
Adding to the intensity of the protest, Dharmendra Kumbhkar, the district president, alongside members of the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal, pledged to implement public shaming measures for those found violating "social decorum." Specifically, they threatened to organize head-shaving processions as a form of social punishment for couples engaging in public displays of affection deemed inappropriate.
Broader Cultural Campaign Extends to Businesses and Public Spaces
The Sanskriti Bachao Manch joined the chorus, appealing directly to hoteliers and event organizers to refrain from hosting Valentine's Day celebrations. In their statement, the group emphasized that love is a "permanent Indian emotion" and should not be treated as a one-day import from Western culture. This sentiment was echoed by Chandrashekhar Tiwari, president of the Hindu Utsav Samiti, who formed fifteen squads to patrol malls, parks, and hotels throughout the city.
The campaign extended beyond Bhopal to neighboring regions. In Sagar, Pappu Tiwari, the Shiv Sena state chief, publicly "oiled sticks" as a symbolic gesture and announced restrictions barring couples from entering temples, restaurants, or parks on Valentine's Day. Shiv Sena workers were reported questioning young people near eateries to enforce these norms.
Police Commissioner Affirms Law Enforcement Amid Cultural Tensions
In response to the escalating situation, Commissioner Sanjay Kumar affirmed that police patrols would be increased to prevent any harassment or vigilantism. He stressed that while maintaining public order is paramount, citizens must alert the police rather than take matters into their own hands. Officers vowed to enforce the law impartially, aiming to balance cultural sensitivities with legal protections during this annual period of cultural clash.
The events in Bhopal highlight the ongoing tension between traditional Indian values and global cultural influences, with right-wing groups positioning themselves as guardians of social decorum against perceived Western encroachments.
