St Valentine must be sobbing

St. Valentine was one of the greatest shepherds who led his life in the path of god and for the redemption of mankind. Consequently he had to face miseries and was ultimately martyred like all other messiahs of peace. He was buried on February 14, and hence the day is celebrated as ‘Valentine’s Day’ the world over.
But here lies the ambiguity. The day is not actually included in the
Liturgical commemoration list of the Catholic calendar of saints for universal liturgical veneration as revised in 1969. More than a Christian festival, it has become a day of celebration by lovers, assumed lovers and couples, to express their love-publicly or in private.
Traditionalists and fundamentalists see it as an ‘attack on our culture and rich heritage’. Hence, the moral policing brigade becomes very active on this day, especially in our country. Dukhataran-e-millat (Daughters of the community) in Kashmir, or Ram Sene in Mangalore, or Shiva Sainiks in Maharashtra, or their slight variations in other parts of the country are all products of this politics of hatred, based on ‘inferiority’ complex as also the inherent prejudices that they have. But it does not end just with the condemnation of the day. At times, they get really violent and every year there are instances of attacks by those hoodlums in some part of the country. They go to the extent of physically abusing young couples, some of whom are barely in their teens.
Who is right? And who is wrong? Really difficult to say. Things are not as black and white as they appear to be. Both sides have genuine reasons and grievances. But then, none is really patient enough to sit and talk. Perhaps, St Valentine will have to visit the pastor again to preach his flock of sheep, who have deviated from their path. But till then, who is going to decide in a Democracy as to what is right and what is wrong?
Whichever way it is, one thing is sure. St Valentine must be sobbing in the Heaven. And tears must be in both his eyes. He must never have thought that his birthday would become a ploy for big corporate giants of greeting cards, chocolates and flowers to exploit his naïve sheep. But then he never have approve either that if his flock became delinquent, unchecked ‘moral police’ would curb them forcibly.


Happy Valentine Day to all the sheep of the flock!!!