Why one university declared Valentine's Day a holiday

The Times of India 16 February 2018

To ensure there is absolutely no nod to Valentine’s Day customs – like exchanging flowers and chocolates – Lucknow University declared 14 February a holiday, citing ‘mahashivratri’, a Hindu festival, as the reason and forbidding students from coming to campus on the day, on pain of disciplinary action, reports The Times of India.

"In recent years, we have observed that students, influenced by Western culture, celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14. In this connection, students are notified that the university will be closed on February 14, 2018, for ‘mahashivratri’," said a Lucknow University advisory, according to ANI.

The university's students by and large called these actions "examples of small-mindedness", reported ANI. "You've declared a holiday on that day, but telling students to not enter university premises isn't right at all. If we don't enter the university, then who will?" asked one student who wasn't named.
Full report on The Times of India site

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