A self-proclaimed vigilante group of Hindu activists has organized a dog wedding in the city of Sivaganga in India's Tamil Nadu state as a mark of protest against St. Valentine’s Day, reported India Today news site on Tuesday.
According to the media report, the group feels that only dogs show affection in public, not humans.
Hindu Munnani, brought together two dogs festooned in yellow and red garments and richly garlanded (as is normal at an Indian wedding). The group members tied the knot (as is customary in the Hindu marriage ritual) and declared them married while many stood behind holding saffron flags.
In 2020, another Hindu group in the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu held a similar protest.
Many people in India, mostly Hindu groups, oppose the idea of St Valentine’s Day, calling it a “western idea” and attack couples for displaying affection in public including holding hands, hugging and cuddling.
In the past, there have been incidents when fringe groups forcibly married off couples who were celebrating Valentine’s Day.