'Cultural terrorism': Researcher slams Solapur edu officer's circular to mark Valentine's Day as 'gratitude day'

Criticising it as an act of cultural terrorism, education researcher Kishore Darak has demanded immediate withdrawal of the circular issued by Solapur Zilla Parishad Education officer (Primary) to mark gratitude day instead of Valentine's Day on February 14.

Darak has sent a letter to the Director of Primary Education and has sent copies of the letter to Minister for Education and other concerned officials. Darak has strongly objected to this act of "cultural terrorism" by the Solapur Zilla Parishad Education Officer. 

Solapur ZP EO (Primary) issued a letter to all the block education officers and administrative officers asking them to organise a program in all the schools on February 14. Interestingly, Darak said that the letter mentions that February 14 was the day on which Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were hanged and that is the reason the schools should organise programmes to pay tribute to the three martyrs on this day.

Darak said that the letter also issued directions to invite parents to schools and organise a program where students would be asked to felicitate parents and express gratitude towards them.

Darak pointed out that there was no doubt in anyone's mind that the three martyrs were hanged on March 23. He pointed out that schools have been asked to apprise the parents about developments in the school and also seek donations from them. 

Objecting to the entire program, Darak said that there had been efforts in the past to undermine Valentine's Day and this was another attempt in this direction.