The saffron brigade in Gujarat has issued its warnings over New Year's celebrations well in advance.
Five major resorts and clubs and over half a dozen restaurants and hotels in Rajkot had begun bookings for the New Year bash, before the Shiv Sena announced that it would 'chalk out an action plan' to enforce a boycott. The VHP, on the other hand, has only appealed to the people to cancel all celebrations, says the Indian Express. [Link]
“We must boycott New Year celebrations in the city since so many people have lost their lives in the Mumbai attack. In a day or two, the Shiv Sena will chalk out an action plan to enforce a boycott,” said Rajkot Shiv Sena president Jimmy Advani. He added that, “This is not the time to party when the country is facing the threat of terrorism.”
Advani said the Shiv Sena will hold a candle-light vigil at Race Course in Rajkot on the night of December 31 to pay tribute to the victims of the Mumbai attack. “We want youngsters to join us rather than go out and party. If they do that, we will show them the red signal,” he said.
Chief of Ahmedabad unit of the Shiv Sena Jayesh Purohit said his organisation had personally appealed to hotels and party plot owners to ensure that vulgar programmes are not held on the pretext of New Year celebration. “We will also approach the police to tell them that New Year parties are not allowed beyond 12 in midnight,” Purohit said. He said the Shiv Sena will organise an awareness programme against vulgarity, on the CG Road on December 31.
He further said that the Christian New Year is not a part of Hindu culture and participation of Hindus in such programmes indicates their 'mental slavery'. “We want Hindus to shed this slave mentality,” he added.
