New Delhi: Mahasabha, an Indian Hindu nationalist party, says it will forcefully marry off couples seen out celebrating the ‘foreign festival’ Valentine’s Day.

An Indian Hindu nationalist party has warned that unmarried couples spotted out together on Valentine’s Day will be “married off”. Mahasabha has announced a variety of punishments for couples seen out celebrating what they describe as the “foreign festival”.

An instant Arya Samaj wedding ceremony will be carried out for unmarried Hindu couples. Interfaith couples will be subjected to a “shuddhikaran” (purification) ritual, a national newspaper reported. Couples holding roses or seen hugging in parks or shopping malls will be particular targets, it said.

“India is a country where all 365 days are days for love, why then must couples observe only February 14 as Valentine’s Day?” Chandra Prakash Kaushik, Mahasabha national president, proclaimed.

“We are not against love, but if a couple is in love then they must get married. In case if the couples claim that they need time to think about marriage, we will tell them that if they are not certain, they should not belittle love by openly going around together. We will also inform their parents”, he added.