Self styled moral police stymied

Youngsters, college going students, gay activists and socialites gathered at parks, shopping malls and across Tank Bund to protest against right wing activists who wanted to stop people from celebrating Valentine’s Day on Saturday. About 100 persons assembled at Tank Bund amid tight security. Youngsters, as well as the old, sang also crooned to peppy numbers to mark the day even as police personnel kept a vigil.

Chandana Chakraborty, social activist said, “We have come here to protest against the VHP, Bajrang Dal and others. Who has given them the right to decide for people like us? How dare they have the audacity to get young people married?” At Osmania University, 70 couples got together on a nostalgic trip and recalled how they met for the very first time.

In some parks couples spent some time just to defy right wing activists. Meena, a B.Sc student accompanied by her boy friend said at NTR Park, “Some people think they are the custodians of Indian culture but do not have an inkling of our culture?” Kusum Choudhary of India Against Corruption said that the reason she was at Tank Bund was to assert her right. ‘We don’t want any moral police around.’ Of course, the police personnel posted at the spots seemed to enjoy the fun and frolic.