TNN Feb 14, 2012, 06.25AM IST
BHUBANESWAR/SAMBALPUR/KENDRAPADA: Love is in the air. So is fear. Love-struck couples in Bhubaneswar and other urban areas in Odisha are jittery about celebrating Valentine's Day with their loved ones because of threats from Bajrang Dal supporters that they will inform the parents if they find any couple displaying affection in public. However, this diktat is not applicable to those couples who are decent.
"We do not mind couples going to parks, malls, theatres and gift shops. We will not interfere if they simply sit, chat and eat out," said Bajrang Dal's national convener, Subash Chouhan, adding, "but we will certainly act if couples get too intimate. They cannot kiss or hug in public places. Our activists will beat them up. Actually, the police should take action against such couples but unfortunately we do not see them doing anything."
While more than 100 activists will keep an eye on couples in parks, malls and theatres in the state capital, nearly 500 activists will fan out to different urban areas. In Sambalpur, the activists have decided to marry off couples in case they are spotted indulging in "love acts" in a public place. "We are not against love. But we are against the western impact on our culture," said Sudhir Ranjan Bohidar, state joint coordinator of the party. "We will inform their parents and conduct their marriage in the presence of their parents," he added.
Some students flayed the moral policing. "The Constitution has given us the right to express our feelings in a free and fair manner. Valentine's Day is celebrated across the world as a day of love. We feel the diktat is anti-Constitutional," said a student of Gangadhar Meher College, Sambalpur.
Though many youngsters were seen thronging gift shops and malls in large numbers on Monday to purchase gifts and flowers, they were undecided about Tuesday's plans. "We are really scared of the Bajrang Dal and have not yet decided how to celebrate the occasion. The activists might embarrass us," said Venkat and Drishti.
Some, however, have decided to celebrate Valentine's Day in the evening after work. "We will wrap up our work early and go to a restaurant for dinner," said Sanjeev Mishra, a software engineer. Gift and jewellery shops have also come up with attractive offers to woo customers. Bhubaneswar-based Gitanjali Jewels launched the "season of love" offer on January 26 offering discounts, which will continue till February 26.
Apprehending trouble, the police have tightened security in major cities, including Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. "We will deploy security guards in parks, shopping malls, cafeterias and outside crowded gift and stationery shops in the twin cities," a senior police officer said.
Apart from the love guardians, there are threats from anti-socials also in Puri. The sea beach, a much sought-after location for couples, is vulnerable to danger following the recent spate of attacks on tourists. As many as five cases of harassment against tourists and an attack on a Russian couple were reported in Puri in a month. The beach certainly does not look too safe a destination for lovers this Valentine's Day because of the twin threats.
The Puri SP, Anup Kumar Sahoo, however, assured that security and beach patrolling would be stepped up. He cautioned though that couples should avoid lonely stretches. Safety advisories have also been issued to hotels to update their guests about security arrangements on the beach.
In this scenario of suppressed fear, some are making hay, like rose sellers. They have shot up their prices seeing the huge demand for the flower, especially the red rose. A single long-stemmed rose is selling for Rs 30 and a bunch for Rs 200 or even Rs 1,000.
In Kendrapada, florists were all smiles at the brisk sale of flowers and their soaring profit. "We have placed orders for fresh stocks. I hope the business is as good as last year's," said Ashok Sahoo, a florist.
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