BBC News Online: World: South Asia

Militant Hindu Valentine threat

Bal Thackeray, who heads the hardline Shiv Sena, has ordered his party activists to target celebrations in India's commercial capital, Bombay.

Mr Thackeray said the day was a conspiracy by foreign companies to sell their products in India.

"This shameless festival has been celebrated by our young people for the last 10 years, but it is totally contrary to Indian culture," he said in an article in his party paper, Samna.

"We should focus on good work, good thoughts, love and harmony in our society, and not let such Western culture spoil us," Mr Thackeray said.

Shiv Sena activists say they plan to target beach and garden parties and other festivities in Bombay.

"If the people don't get his message, we'll obey his orders and disrupt Valentine's Day events," party official, Vinayak Raut, was quoted as saying by the Reuters news agency.

"It's different from our Hindu culture and is corrupting the minds of young teenagers," he added.

Violence

On Sunday, members of the hardline Hindu Bajrang Dal and Hindu Jagran Manch attacked shops selling Valentine's Day cards in an upmarket area of Kanpur.

They said they would burn the cards which they alleged were "loaded with nudity and sex".

The Uttar Pradesh state, in which Kanpur is located, recently outlawed beauty pageants which they said were vulgar and demeaning to women.

Valentine's Day was virtually unknown in India until a few years ago, but it has now become very popular among urban youth.

It has also become big business, as shops, restaurants and florists cash in on its appeal.