VHP, Bajrang Dal take out 'awareness' march as city gears up for Valentine's Day

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Ahmed Anwar, kpn )

February 13, 2012

Mangalore, February 13: The members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal on Monday took out an awareness march in the city against Valentine's Day celebration.

Though the activists had planned to take out motorbike rally as part of their awareness campaign, the police stopped them for not obtaining permission. However, they marched from Urwa Market to PVS circle raising slogans against the western culture and public display of obscenity.

The protesters also submitted a memorandum to the district administration urging it to close all parties by 11:00 p.m. and cancel permits to pubs and DJ's on February 14.

"We oppose Valentine's Day because the concept has come from the West, and through it, an attempt is being made to spoil the Indian culture," said Bajrang Dal Convener Sharan Pumpwell, while talking to Coastaldigest.com

"We have communicated our demand well in advance to the district administration and police department and now it is for them to ensure that there is no obscenity and immorality on Valentine's Day. But if there will be any immoral activities, we will be forced to stop the youths ourselves from doing so," he said adding that “We will hand over them to police”.

He also said that Bajrang Dal activists, apart from meeting owners of restaurants, pub and bar etc in the city to urge them not to give opportunity for youngsters to spoil the Indian culture, distributed pamphlets against Valentine's Day among college students.

Another Bajrang Dal activist said, "Our teams will visit parks frequented by boys and girls. If we found anyone violating the norms of Indian culture, we will stop them and handover them to the police immediately”.

However, the owners of flower shops and gift stores are hopeful of a good turnout of youngsters on Valentine's Day.

Florists are making heart-shaped bouquets in bulk, while gift stores are stocking V-Day special cards and chocolates to woo youngsters.

Some enthusiastic youngsters, in order to avoid problems due to VHP and Bajrang Dal protesters, are planning to celebrate Valentine's Day secretly.

Irked over the protest-threats by the Bajrang Dal and VHP activists, Jasmine D'Souza, a 20-year-old college student said: "It is an irony of sorts that when the day calls for a universal celebration of love on February 14, in India - the country that boasts of the largest symbol of love - the Taj Mahal, the day would witness protests and demonstrations."

Reshma Pereira (25), an employee at a call centre said: “We lovers don't bother about their threats. We are matured enough and we know how to celebrate our day.” She added that instead of staging protest against innocent lovers, the VHP and Bajrang Dal could have staged protest against the Assembly porngate, and BJP government sponsored St Mary's Island Rave Party.

Abhinav Rao, an ABVP activist said that he has always been a devotee of the true love. “Instead of celebrating the love just for one day we should worship it throughout the year. This is our culture. If youth select one day to express your love we don't have any issues with it. But, it should not cross the boundaries of the social norms and morality”, he said.

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Mangaluru–Kasaragod bus fare rolled back after Kerala protests force NHAI to shut Arikkady toll plaza

coastaldigest.com news network

February 5,2026

Mangaluru: The KSRTC Mangaluru division has rolled back the fare hike on buses operating on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route following the suspension of toll collection at the Arikkady toll plaza near Kumbala in Kasaragod district.

The fare revision had been implemented after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) began toll collection at the Arikkady plaza on NH-66. As a result, fares for ordinary and Rajahamsa services were increased by ₹7 and ₹10, respectively, raising the bus fare from Mangaluru to Kasaragod from ₹81 to ₹88.

Senior Divisional Controller of KSRTC’s Mangaluru division, Rajesh Shetty, said the fares were reduced after toll collection at the Arikkady plaza was stopped. “The tollgate began operations on January 13, and the toll amount was deducted from the FASTag accounts of KSRTC buses operating on the route. Following an order from the central government to suspend toll collection, KSRTC has also withdrawn the additional fare with immediate effect,” he said.

At present, vehicles travelling on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route pay toll only at the Talapady toll plaza. The toll for light motor vehicles (LMVs) at Talapady is ₹80 for a same-day return, while heavy vehicles, including buses, are charged ₹250. At Arikkady, the toll rates were ₹130 for LMVs (same-day return) and ₹450 for buses.

Protests against Arikkady toll plaza

The Arikkady toll plaza witnessed widespread protests from January 12, the day toll collection commenced. On the second day, an action committee led by Manjeshwar MLA A K M Ashraf launched an indefinite protest at the site. Except for the BJP, leaders and workers of most major political parties participated in the agitation.

On the night of January 14, a large number of protesters gathered at the plaza and vandalised property, following which authorities temporarily suspended toll operations. The BJP later also expressed opposition to the toll plaza and criticised NHAI’s decision.

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