Bengal Govt declares a holiday for Shab-e-Barat, no holiday on Makar Sankranti and Shriram Navami

(‘Shab-e-Barat’ is a festival celebrated by Muslims at night, in which forgiveness is sought from Allah for the sins committed by oneself.)

Kolkata (Bengal) – In the 2024 Government calendar of Bengal, holidays for Makar Sankranti and Shriram Navami have been cancelled, while the Muslim festival of ‘Shab-e-Barat’ has been given a holiday. This move has drawn criticism from the BJP.

Suvendu Adhikari, State’s Opposition Leader, and BJP MLA, criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, stating, “Mamata Banerjee is overtly appeasing Muslims. Even in Pakistan, there is no public holiday for Shab-e-Barat, but Mamata Banerjee is intentionally appeasing Muslims for votes.”

Kunal Ghosh, a leader of the ruling Trinamool Congress, defended the Government by saying, “Hindus and Muslims coexist harmoniously in the State. The holiday calendar is a Government matter, and the BJP is deliberately attempting to instigate religious tensions through it.”

Editorial Perspective

Bengal has become the second Bangladesh under the governance of Trinamool Congress. To protect Hindus and uphold Dharma in Bengal, imposition of the President’s Rule is the only solution.