Is Valentine’s Day an Indian or alien custom?

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Valentine's Day an occasion that has caused celebrations in the West has become a bone of bitter controversy in India. It has provoked a furious debate on whether these are Indian or alien customs, but many also ask if this is the way of denying women their rights. So, we find out today is this a storm in a tea Cup or is India really that divided.

 

Uma Bharti, President, Bhartiya Janshakti Party; Bharat Kumar Raut, Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP; Mark Tully, Former Chief of Bureau, BBC; Malvika Singh, Publisher, Seminar Magazine; and Renuka Chodhwry, Minister for Women Development, debate it out.

 

Here is a verbatim transcript of their exclusive interview on CNBC-TV18's show War of Words anchored by Karan Thapar. Also see the accompanying video.

 

Q: Why are you against Valentine's Day where young Indians celebrate love and affection with innocent pledges such as gifts or going together on a date?

 

Bharti: India isn't against love. Love is eternal and universal. You can't confine it to any border of any country. The debate is on the way of demonstrating it because the demonstration of affection and love depends on the law and order, other problems, environment, among others. I think India is country which is very liberal and moderate, so the discussion is not about India opposes or supports love.

 

Q: So, you mean demonstration of love in public is offensive to Indians?

 

Bharti: No, I will not say that at all. What I am saying is that is it important to discuss this issue because in this country the problem is terrorism, unemployment, and corruption.

 

Q: We are discussing because there is equal amount of people who want to celebrate Valentine's Day and there are equal amount of people opposing it, so it matters to these people, so do you have an objection to Valentine's Day or you don't?

 

Bharti: Those who are supporting or those who are opposing it are hungry for publicity. Someone wants to sell their product, while some want to sell there party. Raj Thackrey and Pramod Muthallick, are the same people for me. Raj Thackrey started beating north Indians in Mumbai because he wanted to gain some third grade publicity, so I think you people are feeding them equally by talking on such issues. I request you to ignore it.

 

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