The zealots went on to spread this misinformation through Wikipedia. On the eve of Valentine’s Day in 2011, some people spread a rumour that the revolutionary freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were hanged by the British government on February 14. Take the case of Valentine’s Day, which falls on February 14.

For, playing around with historical dates and their significance to whip up hatred mainly works to the advantage of the divisive Hindutva agenda. It is well known that when it comes to twisting facts, appropriating icons of India’s freedom movement, such as Bhagat Singh, and even circulating fake news on social media, none can beat the Hindutva groups. Fresh efforts are being made by these organisations to stop Valentine’s Day celebrations by conducting an orchestrated propaganda linking Valentine’s Day with revolutionary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh’s martyrdom day. However, this vicious campaign is not limited to ‘tradition’. The main reason for this is the Hindutva brigade’s view that Valentine’s Day is against “our culture and tradition”.

In the past few years, hooliganism has marked this day in every big city and town. Note: This article was first published on Februand is being republished on February 14, 2020.Ĭome Valentine’s Day, and the Hindutva brigade – comprising organisations such as the Bajrang Dal, Hindu Vahini Sena, Shiv Sena etc – start gearing up to unleash violence on young couples.

Bhagat Singh by Raghvinder Singh