Couples across country celebrate day of love

Couples, young and old, enthusiastically celebrated Valentine's Day today even as several right-wing activists were held in Hyderabad for taking out a protest march against it.
In Delhi, a pleasant day provided the perfect backdrop for the young and old to display their affection for their loved ones.
The national capital saw the day pass off peacefully as young couples were seen thronging public places, coffee houses and themed restaurants decked up with heart-shaped flowers and red and pink balloons.
E-commerce majors, pizza chains, restaurants spas and salons also offered special discounts on the occasion.
In Hyderabad, several Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists were taken into custody from different parts of the city as they held protests against Valentine's Day celebrations.

As many as 12 VHP activists were taken into preventive custody at Paradise Circle when they held a demonstration and raised slogans seeking a ban on Valentine's Day celebrations, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Saifabad Division) J Surender Reddy told PTI.

In Abid road area, Bajrang Dal and VHP workers burnt an effigy and raised slogans.
Describing Valentine's Day as against Islam and its culture, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) members urged the Muslim men and women not to celebrate it.
Meanwhile, students organisations at Osmania University in Hyderabad under the banner of 'Indian Lovers Unity' (ILU) decided to celebrate Valentine's Day by holding an open meeting in front of Arts College on the varsity campus.

In Kolkata, the National Coalition for Men (NCM) in India, a coalition of about 50 organisations fighting for men's rights, said it observed the day across the country as a day against "false rape cases" and to create awareness in this regard.
In Mumbai, Bollywood celebrities including Karan Johar, Arjun Rampal, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Shraddha Kapoor and Aditi Rao Hydari wished their fans love on Valentine's Day.
A new short film "Queen of Hearts", which defies the stereotypical interpretation of Valentine's Day, was also released.