Gangs of Hindu nationalists roamed the markets of Bombay, India, today, threatening to burn down shops selling Valentine's Day cards and gifts.
The hardliners say the annual celebration of love is offensive to traditional Indian values. Nonetheless, restaurants and shops in India hoped to attract couples with flowers and heart-shaped balloons.
Sporadic protests have been held by Hindu nationalists over the last three years in Bombay and several other cities.
Activists from Hindu groups like the Shiv Sena and Bajrang Dal have smashed up shops, burned cards, and harassed couples holding hands.
The Shiv Sena party, part of India's ruling coalition government, has denounced Valentine's Day as a Western commercial tradition and warned that it would disrupt today's celebrations.
"Valentine's Day is against the ethics and culture of Indian society," Shiv Sena leader Mr Bal Kalsekar said. "If we see anyone flouting our ban, we will set the cards on fire and break up the shop," he said.
Bombay's police said they would be on the lookout for troublemakers.
AP