punjab

Updated: Feb 12, 2018 16:19 IST

Even as the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists have been campaigning and protesting against Valentine’s Day celebrations for years, the Hindu outfit’s international working president Pravin Togadia in a contrary stance has said young men and women had the right to love, and there will be no protests or violence on Valentine’s Day.

In Chandigarh on Sunday to address the VHP and Bajrang Dal supporters ahead of Valentine’s Day, Togadia said, “Prem nahi karenge to vivah nahi hoga, vivah nahi hoga to srishti kaise chalegi? Yuva aur yuvtiyon ko prem karne ka poora adhikar hai. Vo adhikar unhe milna chaiye (If couples don’t fall in love, there’ll be no marriages. If there’ll be no marriages, the world won’t progress. Young men and women have the right to love, and they should get this right).”

Togadia also criticised the Mehbooba Mufti government in Jammu and Kashmir for withdrawing the case against stone pelters in Kashmir.

Stating that he had given directions against holding protests, he said, “Maine sandesh de diya hai ki hamari beti ko bhi pyar karne ka haq hai aur hamari behen ko bhi pyar karne ka adhikar hai (I have passed on the message that our daughters and sisters also have the right to love).

The VHP and Bajrang Dal workers have for years been demanding a ban on Valentine’s Day in India, terming it “anti-Hindu” and “anti-Indian”.

‘Declare war against Pakistan’

Condemning the attack on Jammu’s Sunjuwan Army camp where five army personnel were killed, Togadia said the army should be directed to initiate a war against Pakistan.

“Our army should prepare for a war and attack Pakistan immediately. Pakistan needs a lesson. Its name should be removed from the world map,” Togadia fumed, while questioning till when are we going to continue conversation with Pakistan? We are losing our soldiers because of it, he said.

Togadia also criticised the Mehbooba Mufti government in Jammu and Kashmir for withdrawing the case against stone pelters in Kashmir. “How dare the government not take action against those who threw stones at our army? The stone pelters’ disgraceful conduct needs to be put a stop to. Also the Kashmiri Hindus should be given back their homes.”