The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) government led by Chief Minister Raman Singh in Chhattisgarh has officially declared Valentine’s Day as Matru-Pitru Divas (Parents’ Day).
The state has been celebrating February 14 as Matru-Pitru Divas instead of Valentine’s Day since 2012 on the advice of the jailed Godman, Asaram Bapu.
Making it a permanent arrangement, the Directorate of Public Instructions (DPI) has issued standing orders to celebrate Matru-Pitru Divas every year on February 14.
“The state government had issued circulars to celebrate Matru-Pitru Divas in 2013 and 2014. It has become a regular practice now, which will continue in future. There won’t be any fresh orders for this from next year. The day has to be celebrated every year,” said an order issued by the DPI, a copy of which is available with The Hindu .
Instructions have been given to all school principles to carry out the Matru-Pitru Divas celebrations this year, added the DPI.
On this day every year, the parents would be invited to the schools of their children, who will offer prayers to them.
However, Chhattisgarh Education Minister Kedar Kashyap denied that the move to replace Valentine’s Day with Parents’ day was an attempt to stop Valentine’s Day celebrations.
“There is nothing new in it. We have been celebrating parents’ day for almost four years now. It is not to oppose anyone or anything,” Mr. Kashyap told The Hindu .
Mr. Kashyap also denied that there was any pressure from the Rasthtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) or Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on the state government into making this arrangement.
