As i was walking around platform no 1 of kalyan railway station a peculiar sticker caught my eye. It had a picture of a Muslim family (in a true bolywood sense, complete with pathanis and skull caps) at home. The sticker also had a photo of tainted guru Asaram Bapu asking youngsters to celebrate 14th Feb as 'Ammi Abba Ibadat Din'. I had a hearty laugh!
Let me explain. A few days ago, i read a story in newspaper that right-wing organisations affiliated to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have planned a number of activities to dissuade youngsters from Public Display of Affection (PDA) on Valentines Day. The Valentines Day celebrations are against 'our' culture they say.
Asaram Bapu and his disciples, on the other hand came up with a novel idea to promote 'Indian culture'. They called on youth to celebrate the day as 'matru-pitru pujan divas'. The idea being that more than any 'lover', it's your parents who deserve your 'love'. Hell, they deserve to be bowed before in a true Hindu tradition of worshipping anything/anybody that benifits/harms you.
For a wider appeal, they translated it simplistically as 'Abba Ammi ibadat din'. The name not just lacked any particular resonance with monotheistic Muslims but, when coupled with dressed-for-Eid family, seemed absolutely absurd. And above all, it was a blow to our anti-Valentines effort. I mean, those who indulge in illicit relations don't really deny platonic love to their parents. It's an issue of morality and moral decay, and should be treated as such!
Let me explain. A few days ago, i read a story in newspaper that right-wing organisations affiliated to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have planned a number of activities to dissuade youngsters from Public Display of Affection (PDA) on Valentines Day. The Valentines Day celebrations are against 'our' culture they say.
Asaram Bapu and his disciples, on the other hand came up with a novel idea to promote 'Indian culture'. They called on youth to celebrate the day as 'matru-pitru pujan divas'. The idea being that more than any 'lover', it's your parents who deserve your 'love'. Hell, they deserve to be bowed before in a true Hindu tradition of worshipping anything/anybody that benifits/harms you.
For a wider appeal, they translated it simplistically as 'Abba Ammi ibadat din'. The name not just lacked any particular resonance with monotheistic Muslims but, when coupled with dressed-for-Eid family, seemed absolutely absurd. And above all, it was a blow to our anti-Valentines effort. I mean, those who indulge in illicit relations don't really deny platonic love to their parents. It's an issue of morality and moral decay, and should be treated as such!
