Members of the Bharat Hindu Munnani in Tamil Nadu expressed their opposition to Valentine's Day celebrations by "marrying off" a pair of dogs while a Muslim outfit described it as 'Day of Chastity Plunderers' even as young couples celebrated the day today.
Dravidian outfits, on the other hand, came out in support of the celebrations, distributing sweets at beach fronts here to encourage young men and women "to choose their own future" rather than "getting shackled by forced choices."
Several Hindu and Muslim outfits opposed the celebration of Valentine's Day as it "symbolised cultural degradation and erosion of moral values."
Bharat Hindu Munnani volunteers here "married off" a pair of dogs to show their opposition to the event.
Similar incidents by several other Hindu outfits were reported from across Tamil Nadu.
"Revealing clothing and public display of love cannot mean freedom and assertion of individual rights," a poster of the Bharat Hindu Munnani said.
Tamil Nadu Thowheeth Jamath said in the guise of expressing love innocent women were being targeted by unscrupulous men only to satisfy their carnal pleasure.
"This is not Kadalar Dinam (Valentine's Day) but Karppu Kollaiyar Dinam (Day of Chastity Plunderers)," it said.
Police deployed adequate forces in beaches and parks to prevent untoward events and young men and women thronged the beaches and malls to celebrate the day.
An Erode report said traders rued poor sale of roses stocked for Valentine's Day.
At Bhavanisagar Reservoir, Hindu outfit members tried to lock the gate of the park to prevent entry of lovers which was thwarted by police.
However, young couples found it difficult to access parks due to heavy police presence, the report said.
