Agra runs on Valentine’s Day, Sena posts ‘love guards’
February 14th, 2011 - 12:23 pm ICT by IANSAgra, Feb 14 (IANS) As thousands began Valentine’s Day by running for world peace early Monday in the Taj city, housing the monument to love, Shiv Sena activists said they would post “love guards” to check any “obscene demonstration” of romance while Youth Congress members vowed to provide safety to couples. Around 20,000 people took part in the Agra Half Marathon, which began at 7 a.m. Flagged off by former Miss World Diana Hayden at the Eklavya Stadium, it saw people of all age groups - children and the elderly - taking part.
“There were more than 20,000 runners. Amazing response…unprecedented,” said Harvijay Bahia, one of the organisers and formula car racers.
The event is being seen as a curtainraiser for the Taj Mahotsav starting Feb 18.
While running for world peace was an innovative way to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Agra, the city which boasts of the 17th century Taj Mahal, rightwing group Shiv Sena had their strategy planned out against lovebirds.
Sena activists conducted a ‘lathi puja’ Sunday night and said the ‘lathis’ (batons) are “not for show but for use against those who celebrate the Western cultural imposition” of Valentine’s Day.
Addressing the media, the group said it would post their “love guards” at restaurants and other places likely to be frequented by couples and they would attack those who violated the social moral codes.
Veenu Lavania, Shiv Sena chief of Agra, said they had divided the city into 16 zones and the zonal in-charges would keep an eye on all restaurants, malls and parks. Lavania also appealed to parents not to send their children to school and keep them under surveillance at home.
The Youth Congress, on the other hand, voiced their support for Valentine’s Day celebrations. Mayank Dube, Youth Congress secretary here, said volunteers would be posted at various locations to provide safety to lovers.
Superintendent of Police (City) said police teams would remain vigilant at malls and parks to ensure peace and defuse tension in case there was trouble from any quarters. Deputy Inspector General of police Aseem Arun told mediapersons that celebrating Valentine’s Day was a personal choice and no one would be allowed to create trouble.
- Mumbai youth enjoy Valentine's Day as MNS, Sena lie low - Feb 14, 2011
- Moral police finally bow to Valentine's Day - Feb 14, 2012
- Agra tourist police gear up for V-Day (With Image) - Feb 11, 2012
- Moral brigades to keep off this Valentine's Day - Feb 12, 2012
- Lovebirds to flock to Taj on V-Day - Feb 13, 2012
- Moral brigades not to play spoilsport on Valentine's Day (Lead) - Feb 12, 2012
- Shiv Sena activists arrested for beating lovers in Agra - Feb 15, 2009
- Despite diktats, Srinagar youths keep tryst with St Valentine (With Images) - Feb 14, 2012
- Agra to run for world peace on Valentine's Day - Feb 11, 2011
- Hindu radical outfit protests against Valentine's Day in Jammu and Kashmir - Feb 12, 2011
- Change of heart? No V-Day rampage, promise Hindu outfits - Feb 12, 2011
- Agra tourism industry looks forward to Air India connection - May 30, 2011
- Taj city shivers at four degrees - Dec 16, 2011
- Shiv Sena MP inches closer to NCP - Jan 26, 2012
- Now Agra has its own anthem - Mar 21, 2012
Tags: 17th century, age groups, batons, car racers, congress members, congress secretary, cultural imposition, diana hayden, early monday, formula car, half marathon, lathi, lovebirds, miss world, police teams, rightwing, shiv sena chief, valentine s day, world peace, youth congress