Following outrage from tribal Christians, Manipur Govt revokes order declaring Easter Sunday as a working day

The Government of Manipur on Thursday modified its recent order dated March 27, 2024 regarding the declaration of March 30 and 31 as working days for all government offices in Manipur including the public sector undertakings/corporations/ autonomous bodies/ societies; thus revoking the order declaring Easter Sunday as a working day.

Aimed at ensuring the smooth functioning of government offices in the state, the Governor of Manipur Anusuiya Uikey on March 27 had declared March 30 and 31, 2024, Saturday and Sunday, as working days. However, the order/ declaration received widespread criticisms and condemnations from different tribal student bodies and religious organisations in the State, reasoning that March 31(Sunday), being Easter Sunday, is a significant day for Christians.

The new modified order by the Governor of Manipur, as issued by Deputy Secretary General Administration Department, Manipur, Angom Hera Singh, on Thursday stated that only March 30 (Saturday) would be a working day and excluded Sunday in the order.

Earlier, All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) wrote to the Governor of Manipur, Anusuiya Uikey, requesting her to withdraw state government order of declaring March 31, 2024 (Easter Sunday) as a working day, considering its significance and in the interests of all the Christians in the state.

In its letter ANSAM said, “Such biased concern, unilateral decision and unconstitutional order from the competent authority could rekindle the bitter sentiments of Christians in the state and incite undesirable protests from various concerned organizations."

Such 'unconstitutional order' has violated the meaning of secularism given in the constitution of a democratic country as 31 March, 2024 (Sunday) is an Easter Sunday and one of the most significant day for the Christians in the world to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the letter stated.

Poumai Naga Tsiidoumai Me, an apex student union of Poumai Naga Tribe based in Senapati district of Manipur, had expressed strong disapproval on the state government declaration of March 30 and March 31 as working days for all government offices in Manipur.

In its condemnation of the order, the Poumai Naga Tsiidoumai Me issued a statement and urged the government to withdraw the order promptly and demonstrate a commitment to fostering harmony and inclusivity among all religious communities.

The Zomi Students' Federation, a student organisation based in Churachandpur district, while condemning the government order, stated that the announcement not only infringed upon Right to Freedom of Religion but reflected a disregard for the religious sentiments of the Christian community.

Religious organisations such as Senapati District Catholic Union and Tangkhul Naga Baptist Association also strongly condemned the State government action and demanded revoking of the same.