A public interest litigation (PIL) writ petition filed in the Bombay High Court challenging the notifications issued by the administrations of the Union Territories (UTs) of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu — abruptly abolishing Good Friday which falls on April 19 as a national holiday — is likely to come up for hearing on April 11, 2019.
“The Christian community and the citizenry at large in these UTs are naturally pained and anguished by the cancellation of a holiday on Good Friday which is held sacred by them. All public institutions including schools and colleges have to necessarily remain open on April 19, 2019,” said Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, SFX, Secretary General, CBCI.
Representing the community, Mr. Anthony Francisco Duarte from Moti Daman, Daman, had filed a public interest writ petition in the Bombay High Court to challenge the said notifications issued by the administration which is likely to come up for hearing on April 11, 2019.
“The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) along with the ADF (Alliance Defending Freedom) and the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman are actively supporting the petition. The CBCI has requested prayers for the success of this petition,” Bishop Theodore added.
Good Friday is known universally as the most sacred day for the Christian community after Christmas and even the Indian Government has declared it as a gazetted national holiday.
Incidentally, the change was made in the official district administration notification in November 2018 when the Good Friday national public holiday was transferred from Schedule 1 to Schedule 2 or Restricted Holiday category.
On national holidays, all banks, educational institutions, centre, state, local governments and quasi-government establishments are closed, while on restricted holidays these offices can remain open but employees are entitled to avail the off as per the rules.
The matter came to light when the community started preparations in the 11 odd churches in these Union Territories, for the April 19 holiday marking a day of prayers, penance, mourning and vigil when Jesus Christ was crucified.
Incidentally, these UTs will go to the polls for two Lok Sabha seats in Phase III on April 23 along with 115 other constituencies.
On March 15, Union Tourism Minister K J Alphons has written to the Union Home Secretary demanding that Good Friday be restored as a compulsory holiday in the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, amidst protests by the Christian community against its removal from the list of holidays.
“Daman & Diu, Dadra Haveli have taken off Good Friday from the list of compulsory holidays as per yesterday’s newspaper report. Please ensure that these Union Territories restore Good Friday as a Compulsory holiday. Kindly let me know,” Alphons has said in his letter to Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba.