Three days before Valentine's Day, Shiv Sena activists in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh conducted a ritualistic worship of sticks at the Pehalwan Baba temple amidst Vedic chants. The activists claimed that these sticks were an emblem of defending culture, infused with jasmine and mustard oil to ensure their readiness for use when and if necessary. Following this ceremony, posters were put up across the city stating, 'Wherever Bittu-Sona are found, we will break every corner,' indicating their threats against couples who choose to celebrate the day in public places.

This movement by Shiv Sena was instigated after a viral video circulated on social media featuring couples engaging in romantic behavior in a public park. The video incited a wave of anger among the local community, which Shiv Sena seized upon to rally opposition against Valentine's Day celebrations, asserting that the display of affection contradicted local cultural values. The organization portrayed this act as a necessary step to preserve culture and morality in the face of perceived societal decay.

With the escalating tension surrounding Valentine's Day, this event reflects the growing friction between traditionalists and modern societal behaviors in India. The actions of Shiv Sena not only amplify the political and cultural discourse surrounding love and public expression in the context of Indian society but also serve as a warning to couples planning to celebrate the day amidst an increasingly conservative atmosphere. The situation in Sagar may lead to heightened vigilance in other regions as similar sentiments may emerge elsewhere in the country around the same time.