Anurag Bende

Hindus to Christianity

Valentine’s Day

the National

Fergusson College Road

Parag Gokhale

Senior socialist leader

Kumar Saptarshi

Congress

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh

Sandip Kulkarni

MBA

Shweta Kumari

friends

is usually the saffron brigade’s favourite time to flex their muscles, but with the new dispensation across the country and their increased power, they evidently couldn’t wait till February. Several city-based counterparts of the right-wing brigade have decided to play party poopers this new year’s eve. Claiming that celebrating December 31 is the first step to converting to Christianity, members of right-wing organisations have decided to start a campaign against new year’s eve parties in the city.On Saturday, members of right wing organisations, under the umbrella ofHindu Movement, held a dharna at Good Luck Chowk on, protesting against such parties.of the National Hindu Movement told Mirror, “We are observing that the youth is blindly following Christian rituals and celebrating on December 31. This is how conversion to Christianity starts, which we strongly oppose. We are against Hindus being converted and we demand that the government bring about an anti-conversion law to prevent forceful conversion.”Making their agenda clear, the National Hindu Movement has decided to start a campaign in schools and colleges where their members will be asking students to stay away from December 31 celebrations. “We have observed so many malpractices occurring on December 31 and we want the youth to keep away from such bad habits. We are going to put up banners opposing these celebrations. At the same time, we will go to schools and colleges and educate students about the Hindu new year,” Gokhale added.However, socialist leaders and liberal Puneites have slammed the movement, deeming it undemocratic.Drsaid, “These right wing outfits think people have voted in favour of Hindutva. The reality is that people voted against the. These outfits are all connected with the.”“But associating themselves with such demonstrations, these outfits want to divide the society and damage the constitutional foundation of our country. They will never succeed,” Saptarshi added.,anstudent, said, “I party on December 31, and this certainly does not mean I do not follow my religion. I also celebrate Diwali and other festivals with the same enthusiasm. It is this narrow-minded approach of some people that is disturbing the social balance of the country.”, a resident of Hadapsar, and an Arts student, said, “India is a democratic country and everyone should have the freedom to celebrate any way they choose. I havefrom all religions and we never discriminate.”