In a recent development, the Bihar education department has sparked controversy by reportedly eliminating holidays for Hindu festivals, specifically Hartalika Teej and Jitiya, while increasing holidays for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha (Bakrid). The move has drawn criticism from Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, who accused the Nitish Kumar government of engaging in appeasement politics.
According to reports, the holiday calendar for 2024 has not only removed holidays for Hartalika Teej and Jitiya but has also extended the summer vacation days from 20 to 30. The decision to increase holidays for Muslim festivals has raised concerns and triggered accusations of bias.
Union Minister Nityanand Rai strongly criticized the Bihar government’s move, describing it as appeasement politics. He asserted that the reduction of holidays for Hindu festivals and the simultaneous increase in holidays for Muslim festivals was a clear indication of biased decision-making. Rai, in an interview with ANI, expressed dissatisfaction with the alleged favoritism, stating, “Sabotaging Hindus’ sentiments like this is not good. Hindus of Bihar are watching and they are seeing this biasedness, when the time comes, they will give a befitting reply. This decision must be changed, and BJP won’t sit quietly on this matter.”
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Rai went on to demand the withdrawal of the revised holiday calendar, emphasizing that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would not remain silent on the issue. He stated, “This type of appeasement behavior is not going to work in Bihar. Appeasement is harmful to the development of the country, so the Nitish government should take back its decision.”
Union Minister Ashwini Choubey also expressed discontent with the Bihar government’s holiday calendar, accusing it of displaying an “anti-Hindu face.” Choubey highlighted what he perceived as a discrepancy in the treatment of festivals, where holidays for Muslim festivals were extended while those for Hindu festivals were abolished.
As tensions escalate, the controversy underscores the delicate balance that governments often face when managing diverse religious sentiments. The allegations of appeasement politics and the call for the withdrawal of the revised holiday calendar highlight the need for a nuanced approach that respects the cultural and religious diversity within the state of Bihar. The evolving situation will likely continue to draw attention and spark discussions on the importance of maintaining a fair and inclusive holiday calendar that reflects the sentiments of all communities.
