ACTIVISTS OF HINDU FUNDAMENTALIST GROUP PROTEST NEW YEAR CELEBRATION IN SOUTHERN INDIA

NATURAL WITH TAMIL SPEECH

DURATION: 2.31

SOURCE: ANI

TV AND WEB RESTRICTIONS: NO ACCESS BBC

Activists of Hindu fundamentalist group protest New Year celebration in southern India.

Activists of Hindu fundamentalist group 'Bharath Sena' protest outside star hotels organising and celebrating New Year in Coimbatore city of India's southern state of Tamil Nadu.

PLEASE NOTE THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

SHOWS:

COIMBATORE, TAMIL NADU, INDIA (JANUARY 01, 2011) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. PROTESTERS SHOUTING SLOGANS

2. A BANNER IN TAMIL

3. PROTESTERS CARRYING FLAGS

4. POLICEMEN WATCHING PROTESTERS SHOUTING

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Tamil) RAMESH, BHARATH SENA ACTIVIST, SAYING:"In the name of new year celebration, our Hindu culture is being exploited in many star hotels. Cabaret dance is conducted, and we strongly condemn such kind of cultural exploitation in our country. To stop this evil practice and condemn the New Year celebration today, we, Bharath Sena stage a protest here in Coimbatore."

6. PROTESTERS STANDING

7. A PROTESTER SHOUTING SLOGANS

8. PROTESTERS SHOUTING SLOGANS IN A TRUCK

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Tamil) SENTHIL KANNAN, STATE SECRETARY, BHARATH SENA, SAYING:"In the name of English New Year celebration, the western culture has intruded into our Indian culture, which spoils the younger generation. With this, today, in many hotels, men and women consume liquor and dance and wish each other a new year and exploit our Indian Hindu culture. We, the Bharath Sena, strongly condemn this practice and culture. We want that this type of cultural exploitation should be stopped immediately, otherwise we will intensify our struggle throughout the state."

10. A BANNER

11. PROTESTERS BEING ARRESTED BY POLICE

12. POLICEMEN GUARDING A STREET

13. A HOTEL ILLUMINATED WITH LIGHTS

STORY: Activists of a Hindu fundamentalist group 'Bharath Sena' protested outside hotels organising New Year celebration in Coimbatore city of India's southern Tamil Nadu state early on Saturday (January 01).

Hundreds of activists carried banners and flags and shouted slogans hailing India and its culture.

They said that the New Year celebration organised in hotels is exploiting the Hindu culture.

Further the activists strongly condemned cabaret dances organised in hotels.

"In the name of new year celebration, our Hindu culture is being exploited in many star hotels. Cabaret dance is conducted, and we strongly condemn such kind of cultural exploitation in our country. To stop this evil practice and condemn the New Year celebration today, we, Bharath Sena stage a protest here in Coimbatore," said Ramesh, a Bharath Sena activist.

Senthil Kannan, State Secretary of Bharath Sena, said that such show of western culture would hamper Indian values and traditions.

"In the name of English New Year celebration, the western culture has intruded into our Indian culture, which spoils the younger generation. With this, today, in many hotels, men and women consume liquor and dance and wish each other a new year and exploit our Indian Hindu culture. We, the Bharath Sena, strongly condemn this practice and culture. We want that this type of cultural exploitation should be stopped immediately, otherwise we will intensify our struggle throughout the state," he said.

The protesters urged the government to take steps to stop the evil practice of cultural exploitation in the country with such celebrations.

Over 100 activists were later arrested by the police.

People across the globe ushered the year 2011 and across India there were events such as live concerts, dances and theme parties.