This morning, when commuters boarded the Delhi Metro, they were greeted by Asaram Bapu's photos on several posters--asking them to celebrate 'Matri Pitri Pujan Diwas' on 14 February, instead of Valentine's Day.
The advertisements, put up across 35 stations by an organisation allegedly belonging to the self-styled godman, advocating 'Matri Pitri Pujan Diwas' has left many commuters enraged.
Asaram Bapu maybe lodged in jail in connection with a sexual assault case, but that didn't stop his followers from trying to teach Indians 'acche sanskar.'
The posters have now prompted the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to order the matter to be examined.
The ads bear two contrasting pictures; one showing two kids worshipping their parents and the other showing a young couple holding each other's ears as policemen stand nearby.
"Police take strong action against those indulging in degenerate activities by celebrating Valentine's Day in broad daylight. Don't celebrate Valentine's Day," the message in the posters say.
Meanwhile, social media is quite outraged with this.
Delhi Metro runs Asharam's ad's threatening couples celebrating Valentine's Day, Its 'worship' parents on Feb 14.. pic.twitter.com/O56gR2FE2f
— Rahul Raj (@Iam_rahul_raj) February 8, 2016
‘Inspired’ by rape accused Asaram, ads condemn Valentine’s Day on Delhi Metro https://t.co/v0snQh6VJApic.twitter.com/hxx0yk4Gou
— Janta Ka Reporter (@JantaKaReporter) February 9, 2016
In fact, the posters have appeared outside Universities and college campuses also.
I saw this giant matri-pitri diwas poster - Delhi University north campus. via /r/india #T… http://t.co/OC1dWkd11Epic.twitter.com/hgq2Q741ur
— AAP Strategist (@AAPStrategy) February 14, 2015
"The ads were displayed by a private contractor as all the ad space inside the Delhi Metro premises are allotted to specialised agencies who in turn allot them to interested advertisers. The matter is being thoroughly examined and taken up with the concerned contractor for necessary action," DMRC chief spokesman Anuj Dayal said.
A functionary of 'Bal Sanskar Kendra', the organisation behind the posters, told PTI that the objective of the ad campaign was to make youngsters "aware" that Valentine's Day was "against Indian culture".
"The picture depicts the plight of a couple who were caught celebrating Valentine's Day in a public park at Raipur where the state government officially celebrates 'Matri Pitri Pujan Diwas'. We want other state governments to come up with similar orders," Manish Goswami, the functionary said.
The posters also made a few wonder about the advertising policy of DMRC. "I guess Delhi Metro will put up just about anything if you pay them enough money," Govind RS posted on Facebook.
A DMRC executive said the company follows the Delhi Outdoor Advertising Policy, 2008 and does not have its own policy in this regard.
(With inputs from PTI)
Contact HuffPost India
Also See On HuffPost:
