The Lucknow University has indirectly told students to celebrate ‘Maha Shivratri’ instead of Valentine’s Day via a ‘No Entry’ advisory which asks students to stay away from the campus on Wednesday.
No Entry Today :
“Over the past few years,” said the advisory issued by Chief Proctor Prof Vinod Singh, “it has been observed that under the influence of the Western culture, youth has been celebrating February 14 as Valentine’s day. All students are hereby informed that the university will remain closed on the occasion of ‘Maha Shivratri’ on 14.02.2018.”
It further adds, “Students are directed not to wander on the campus on the holiday. Parents are also requested not to send their wards to the university on the holiday.”
The advisory, which has banned gathering and movement of all students in the campus, says the management will take disciplinary action if anyone violates the directives. The university has also suspended all extra classes or practical exams on the day.
The Chief Proctor has sent a copy of the advisory to the SHO, Hasanganj Police Station and the Lucknow University police post to ensure adequate police presence to keep students off the campus. Security arrangements have been tightened around the girls’ hostels and a ‘No Entry’ diktat is slapped on any visitor.
Reaction of Students:
In response, students are up in arms. “This order curtails our freedom. We live in the hostel and pass through the campus several times a day. How can authorities ban our entry?,” fumed a hostler.
“On the one hand, we talk of removing gender bias and promote co-education, and on the other, such orders are issued to restrict boys and girls meeting on campus even on a holiday,” rued one girl.
“Students pass lewd remarks and harass girls on the campus on Valentine’s Day. Since we have declared a holiday, why should they hang around the campus?” asked a member of the Proctorial Board.
Vice-Chancellor Prof S.P. Singh has, however, clarified that advisory should not be clubbed with the Valentine day. “A holiday is declared on Wednesday and students have only been asked to stay away from the campus,” he said.
Bajrang Dal and Shiv sena :
Meanwhile, the VHP, Bajrang Dal and Shiv Sena activists have enforced a curfew at parks, malls and public places, warning boys and girls to stay away. Shiv Sena held a ‘stick puja’ in Muzaffarnagar to scare away couples on the Valentine Day. The ADG Law and Order Anand Kumar said that adequate police force would be deployed on Thursday at public places to ensure no one is harassed.