BHOPAL: Two incidents of vandalism in restaurants and lounges were reported in Bhopal on Sunday. Former MLA Surendranath Singh was booked by the police on Valentine’s Day for exhorting mobs to carry out the acts of vandalism. The police had also made preparations in the wake of messages related to moral policing by such groups on the day.
Besides vandalism, the outfit members entered several hookah lounges and parks on the day and carried out searches there. These groups also carried out bike rallies with slogans that they would not let anyone harm Indian culture on the excuse of celebrations. They had circulated several messages on social media about their intended action against youths who would be celebrating Valentine’s Day.
The Shyamla Hills police arrested former MLA Surendranath Singh after a group of saffron outfit members vandalised a hookah lounge on Sunday. Singh had shared his message of not tolerating any celebrations in lounges that would cause harm to Indian culture.
Protesters smashing windows and glass cabins at Hooka Lounge. | FP pic
On the day, a dozen armed men entered a lounge at Kilol Park and vandalised it. The Shyamla Hills police reached the spot and arrested all of them. Seven of the accused were booked by the police for involvement in vandalism. Singh, too, was arrested and sent to jail for inciting mobs to carry out acts of vandalism. He was sent to jail along with other accused for his involvement in the acts.
In another incident, the Habibganj police booked nine men for entering a restaurant and misbehaving with visitors. The accused also vandalised the Cowboy Restaurant and Lounge and manhandled the staff and others. The cops reached the spot and arrested all of them and sent them to jail.
A group of men also reached restaurants and hotels, including Jauhari Palace, a lounge in GTB Complex and other lounges. They also stormed Chinar Park, Mayur Park and other parks and carried out searches. These men were actively issuing warnings on social media that they would not tolerate any obscene activities on the excuse of celebrating Valentine’s Day.
Police presence around public places had been stepped up ahead of Valentine’s Day.
BJP leader Surendra Nath leads protest against hooka lounge in MP Nagar on Valentine’s Day on Sunday. | FP photo
