Indian Women Fight Back With Pink Panties

Women fight back after Hindu extremists vow to disrupt Valentine's Day

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 14, 2009 11:10 AM CST

(Newser) – An extremist group opposed to young couples in India celebrating Valentine's Day is being deluged by pink panties, reports Radio Netherlands. The protest—organized after members of Sri Ram Sena attacked women drinking in pubs and vowed similar action today—seems light on the surface but actually is a sign of the deep religious, political, and sectarian divisions that divide the nation, notes the Los Angeles Times. Police are on alert for the duration of the holiday.

The campaign's appeal for women to send panties to the group's headquarters met such an overwhelming response that collection centers had to close. The Hindu extremists say they will send back pink saris—"a piece of Indian culture"—to anyone who sends underwear. Sri Ram Sena's leader has been taken into custody for Valentine's Day to help keep the violence down.

[Images (5)]

[Videos (1)]

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Red roses are seen stacked up as people shop for cards on Valentine's Day in Amritsar, India, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Women stand with placards in support of Valentine's Day in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Activists of the militant Hindu group Bajrang Dal shout slogans during a protest against Valentine's Day in Amritsar, India, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

An activist from the women's wing of India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party vandalizes a Valentine's Day hoarding in Hyderabad, India, Friday, Feb. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Campaign poster urging Indian women to sent their underwear to an extremist group. (The Pink Chaddi campaign)

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Al-Jazeera reports on Indian women's battle against attempts to limit their freedom. (AlJazeeraEnglish)

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Giving flowers on the streets, showing affection in public, showering kisses in full public view is wrong. What is the difference between us and animals? - Pramod Muthalik, head of Sri Ram Sena

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Indian Women Fight Back With Pink Panties