Shiv Sena protest against Valentines Day celebration in Varanasi

                                                                                                     By Girish Kumar Dubey
Friday, February 13, 2009 7:17:43 AM by ANI ( 1 comment )

Varanasi, Feb 13 (ANI): Shiv Sena activists here today staged a protest against Valentine''s Day celebration.

The activists said that they viewed celebrations of Valentines Day contrary to Indian ethos and a proof of the growing influence of western culture.
They said, they had issued an "appeal" to all the gift shop owners, restaurants, hotels and florists in the city, and have asked them to refrain from doing anything on Valentines Day.

Valentine''s Day has become increasingly popular in India in recent years, led by retailers selling red balloons, velvet pillows and teddy bears to mark the festival.
Hardliner groups say Valentine''s Day celebrations are a symbol of "cultural corruption" but that has not dampened the enthusiasm of youngsters who throng stores to buy Valentine''s Day gifts and cards. (ANI)