Progressive Duplicity and moral policing

[Guest]

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncate..._100153955.html

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->After triggering a war of words and a cheeky campaign by bloggers by his threat to marry off young men and women publicly displaying affection on Valentine’s Day, Pramod Muthalik, founder of a rightwing Hindu group, now says his moral brigade won’t be prowling on the streets Feb 14.

“I have told my people that they should not take out any procession or hold demonstrations or accost young couples on the day (Feb 14),” he said.

“We have achieved our purpose. Our aim was to create awareness and people all over the country are talking about the pros and cons of allowing their children to indulge in such celebrations,” Muthalik said by phone from Hubli, over 400 km from here.

He has not spent any money buying ‘Mangalasutras’ (a gold chain that a man ties around a woman’s neck to solemnise a marriage Hindu style) either.

Last week he threatened that members of Sri Rama Sene, which he heads, accompanied by a priest would carry mangalsutras and marry off young couples on the spot if found publicly displaying their love.

“No. We have not arranged for them (mangalsutras). The threat was intended to raise awareness and not meant to be carried out,” Muthalik told IANS.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->