Calcutta: Sukanta Majumdar requests Mamata Banerjee to declare holiday on January 22

Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar on Friday wrote to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee requesting her to declare January 22 as a holiday to facilitate people’s participation in the celebrations to mark the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

“The consecration of Ram temple is a day of pride for all Indians. As the administrative head of the state, I urge you to declare this day a holiday so that everyone can join in the celebration of the holy day. This request goes forward to both government and non-government entities,” the letter read.

Majumdar also asked Mamata to keep schools and colleges closed that day.

The Center has announced a half-day holiday for all its establishments on January 22 so that its employees can watch the consecration of the temple in Ayodhya live on television and participate in religious programs. Work will start in central government offices from 2.30 pm on Monday.

BJP ruled states like Goa, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh have declared holiday on January 22. BJD-ruled Odisha has also followed suit.

Many political analysts have termed the Centre’s decision to declare a holiday to commemorate the sanctity of the temple as a violation of the secular principles enshrined in the Constitution and have demanded the order be cancelled. Economist and political activist Prosenjit Bose has asked how the government can declare a holiday for an event being organized by a private trust.