"The students may celebrate Valentine Day if they want to, but not on the campus," BHU V-C Prof GC Tripathi told reporters on Thursday. "Any celebration which misguides the youth from their basic culture and values, is best avoided," he asserted.
While chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has decided to celebrate Valentine's Day (February 14) as "Tourism Day" in Uttar Pradesh, his point of view doesn't seem to have been appreciated by authorities at the Lucknow University and the Banaras Hindu University (BHU). The two varsities have prohibited any kind of celebration on this occasion cherished by youngsters at large.
"The students may celebrate Valentine Day if they want to, but not on the campus," BHU V-C Prof GC Tripathi told reporters on Thursday. "Any celebration which misguides the youth from their basic culture and values, is best avoided," he asserted.
A senior faculty at BHU said the V-C was perhaps "playing safe" in view of the university's 100th year celebrations which would be attended by PM Narendra Modi and HRD Minister Smriti Irani.
The Lucknow University (LU) has also announced that no such celebration would be allowed on the campus.
However, already voices of disagreement are being heard on this count. "It's not advisable for any university to get into cultural policing," says former LU V-C Prof Roop Rekha Verma. "As long as discipline and order is maintained on the campus, and there is no revelry which disturbs the atmosphere or routine of the institution there's nothing wrong," says Prof Ramesh Dixit of LU's Political Science department.
Young Samajwadi Party leader Sunil Singh Yadav said students should not be prevented from celebrating Valentine's Day as long as it promotes friendship and camaraderie. He lauded the UP CM's initiative to mark the occasion as UP Tourism Day. "This would also help restrain the 'Hindutva' fanatics who insult students on this day in the name of culture," he added.
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