The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has announced the formation of a special squad in West Bengal to protect couples from alleged ‘harassment’ by Hindu outfit Bajrang Dal or any other BJP-affiliated organisations on the occasion of Valentine’s Day, the party said on Friday.
The move by Mamata Banerjee-led party came in response to a widely circulated directive, allegedly issued by Bajrang Dal, opposing public displays of affection on February 14 and branding the celebration as “contrary to Indian culture”.
“Our IT wing is ready to assist lovers if Bajrang Dal or any other BJP-affiliated organisation tries to harass them. We will not tolerate this. Everyone has the right to make their own choices, and such moral policing will not be allowed in Bengal,” TMC IT cell leader Debangshu Bhattacharya said.
TMC leader Govind Lama said that the party was committed to safeguarding personal freedom. “We will not allow anyone to attack or harass others. We have seen threatening letters circulating on social media, but we stand firmly against such actions,” he asserted.
Lama urged couples seeking protection to reach out to TMC leaders, emphasising that the ruling party in the state will remain vigilant against any attempts to intimidate those celebrating Valentine’s Day.
A controversy escalated after an image, allegedly featuring Bajrang Dal’s guidelines, went viral on social media. The message in the image condemned Valentine’s Day celebrations, arguing that they violate Indian cultural values.
The poster also claimed that if a couple is found in an “objectionable state”, their parents will be informed, and arrangements could be made for their marriage. Furthermore, the viral message suggested that after the next elections, the BJP government will take steps to curb “love jihad” and ‘adultery’ in West Bengal, aiming to uphold the ‘character’ of Bengali youth.
The circulation of these guidelines sparked widespread debate on social media, with many denouncing the interference in personal freedoms. In response, Trinamool Congress’s IT cell intensified its efforts to counteract harassment and ensure the safety of couples celebrating Valentine’s Day.
Additionally, Trinamool Congress has also planned to honour the martyrs of the Pulwama attack on the same day.
The deadly Pulwama attack occurred on 14 February 2019, when a convoy of vehicles carrying Indian Army personnel on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethapora in the Pulwama district of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, claiming lives of 40 brave soldiers.