Id holidays optional in MP,Muslims up in arms

By making the holidays optional the state government has made its communal intentions clear, AICC member Mohammed Saleem told The Sunday Express. If the order is not withdrawn the Muslim community will take to the streets.

Both the festivals were listed as general holidays in the governments official diary and calendar for 2010. However,the general administration department in a notification dated March 8 informed all government departments,collectors,divisional commissioners,the chief electoral officer,the labour commissioner among others about the change.

When contacted additional secretary R D Sahu,who has signed the notification,said the department had received a directive from the Chief Ministers Office to this effect. He said the change was being effected following a representation by the Dawoodi Bohra community. He said the two dates mentioned in the circular were different than the dates mentioned in the calendar suggesting that the optional holidays were in addition to the general holidays.

However,the notification says no such thing. It neither mentions the community at whose behest it was issued nor explains why its being issued.

The community itself denied the knowledge of having made any such demand. Amil Mehmood Petiwala,the communitys local head,said,We have never made any such demand.

Saleem alleged that the Bohra connection was an afterthought.

There are 52 optional holidays of which government employees can avail of any three. The March 8 notification makes it clear that those opting for the two holidays will have to abide by the restriction.

A government spokes-man on condition of anonymity defended the decision. There are 52 optional holidays most of them for Hindu festivals but has the majority community ever objected, he asked.