Hyderabad, February 14: Love is in the air but where are the lovers? Valentines Day is a day away and one would expect to witness sights of cosy couples holding hands, glancing in to each others eyes or coochie-cooing while painting the town red. But that does not seem to be the case this time around.
With threats from some organisations to play moral police, couples seem to be shying away from hanging out at public places. Usual hotspots of young couples- Necklace road and Sanjeevaiah park were surprisingly deserted with crowd turnout much less than normal days. It was the same at popular joints and restaurants of the city. City youngsters seem to be wary of consequences if caught by extremists opposing the day, especially Bajrang Dal.
The organisation has over the years earned notoriety for trying to marry off couples who are seen together on Valentine’s Day. But this year, the organisation seems to have changed its stand by declaring that instead off marrying off couples, they would take them to the Dal office, to provide counselling to the youngsters as well as their parents.
“We will first call the parents of the boy and girl and counsel them by explaining the history and culture of India. However, we would arrange for marriage of couples who give consent for it,” said Vamshi, general secretary, Bajrang Dal.
This hardly comes as encouraging words for youngsters who plan to have a hassle free day of romance. It is to be seen whether the city lives up to the spirit of the day.
–Agencies