MUZAFFARNAGAR: Just ahead of Valentine’s Day, members of

conducted a ‘lathi puja’ on Sunday and declared that the sticks would come in handy to “teach a lesson” to couples being affectionate in public.

On Sunday, dozens of members of the party including its senior leaders organized the ritual at its office in

in the city, and announced they would go out on the streets to stop “celebrations” on February 14 in public places.

“Our workers will visit restaurants and hotels and conduct checks. We have also warned owners of such establishments not to organize Valentine’s Day events. There could be a risk of property damage, for which the owners themselves will be responsible,” said the party’s deputy head for Uttar Pradesh Lalit Mohan Sharma.

“Celebration of Valentine’s Day increases the occurrence of love jihad. This is not our culture. Our people will be deployed in parks and schools. If we find someone in an objectionable position, we will teach him a lesson,” said

, member of the party.

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Police officers said nobody would be allowed to disturb the peace and adequate police personnel would be deployed at public places on February 14. “Under the Constitution, anybody is free to celebrate any event in a hotel or restaurant. If someone feels unsafe or threatened, she or he can contact us anytime. We will not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands,” said Muzaffarnagar superintendent of police Omveer Singh.

“There have been several incidents in the past, when such groups have assaulted couples and even clashed with police on Valentine’s Day or Friendship Day,” said a social activist.