Madhya Pradesh: Chhindwara Administration calls for 'worship of parents' on Valentine's Day

New Delhi [India], Feb. 10 (ANI): Valentine's Day is around the corner, and right on schedule is the parade of bizarre. This year the Chhindwara district administration of Madhya Pradesh has issued a diktat calling on the young ones to worship their parents on the day, instead of frolicking with their beloved! In a statement the Chhindwara district collector appealed the people of the district to worship their parents on the day in the rural as well as urban area and have made it compulsory for the schools and social institution to celebrate the day by worship their parents. Last year, the Chhattisgarh Government had 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. In 2015, Bajrang Dal had announced to solemnise the marriage of boys and girl in full public view at the place where they were caught. In the past, activists had assaulted and misbehaved with couples found at public places on Valentine's Day. The day brings along with it a host of diktats and threats by extreme groups, claiming that Valentine's Day is an abomination on the Indian culture and an attempt by the western world to besmirch Indian ideals. (ANI)