In a bizarre move, officials in Maharashtra's Satara district have told schools and colleges to celebrate Valentines Day Saturday as "Mothers Day", officials said Friday.
An official circular, issued by the Satara district administration, has kicked up a huge row.
The circular was sent to hundreds of public and private primary schools and around 25 colleges in the district Feb 11, asking them to celebrate V-Day with a difference by dedicating it to "Mother".
All educational institutions have also been directed to make the students sing a poem dedicated to "Mother".
They have been told to the celebration by clicking photographs and submitting them to the district education officer.
The controversial circular, issued by the office of District Education Officer (Primary), claimed that in recent times there have been instances of boycott or opposition to V-Day which it said represents Western social culture.
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The NGO Maharashtra State Mahila Lokayog (MSML) expressed strong protest against what it termed an "obnoxious circular" representing the mindset of the ruling dispensation in Maharashtra.
"We have taken it up very strongly with the concerned authorities and shall oppose it. We have no objection to celebrations of love for mother, but why select Valentines Day for this?" MSML executive chairperson Varsha Deshpande told IANS.