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Despite the Sena threat, Bombay discos gear up for Valentine's Day

Despite Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's orders banning Valentine's Day functions in the city, pubs and discotheques are going ahead with their functions as per schedule.

Joan Saintprix, head of corporate communications, The Leela Kempinski Hotel in Sahar, which owns the discotheque Cyclone told rediff.com, "It's a democratic country and we have every right to celebrate an occasion. At Cyclone, we are going to function normally on Valentine's Day. And we are not making any extra security arrangements."

Interestingly, another discotheque owner, on condition of anonymity, said that when the Shiv Sena ruled Maharashtra for five years they never banned Valentine's Day celebrations. He wants to know why they are banning it now.

Thackeray wrote in his party's mouthpiece Samna on Sunday that Valentine's Day must be banned in India as it was against the country's culture. He also blamed multinational companies for promoting bad influences on young Indian minds in the last ten years through such celebrations.

Juhu's Palm Grove Hotel's discotheque, Mirage, too is decked up for the celebrations. Nitin Tombat, resident manager, says, "We have not made any security arrangements as we are having the party inside our complex." However, he added that they might think over their plans after the Sena's threat.

Rasberry Rhinoceros, a discotheque in Juhu, has decided to go ahead with its celebrations. Rabiz Bookwala, a manager, says, " We are having a regular dance party and have our hotel security staff. So, I don't think there is much to worry about."

But the threat has put Narendra Kumar, proprietor of Andheri's Grand Canyon pub and disco, in a dilemma. "Some students want to have a party on Valentine's Day. But, I do not know what to do? I don't want to say no to my customers and at the same time I don't want to invite trouble."

"What do you suggest I should do?" a perplexed Kumar asked this correspondent.

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