Telangana government cancels holiday on Shivratri
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Telangana, has strongly objected to the Telangana Government’s decision to cancel the public holidays on Shivratri, the holy day of worship for Hindus. Generally, the State Government used to mark a public holiday on Shivratri, and there was a long demand to extend the holiday to the next day, as the devotees kept fast. It is a Hindu tradition to break the fast after performing special pujas at Shiva mandir the next day.
On March 5, Revenue Department of the State issued a circular asking its employees not to avail of the public holiday on March 8, 9 and 10. It states that “Attention of all the District Officers, Tahsildars and Superintendents and staff of Collectorate, Hyderabad District is drawn to the subject cited and they are hereby directed not to avail public holidays on 08.03.2024, 09.03.2024 and 10.03.2024 and also to run their offices regarding the inaugurations desired by the Hon’ble CM in Hyderabad District.”
On the next day i.e March 6, Telangana Government issued circular stating, “Government hereby permits the Muslim Government Service/Contract / Out-sourcing/Boards/ Public Sector employees / Schools working in the state to leave their offices/schools at 4p.m. during the Holy Month of RAMZAN” i.e , from 12.03.2024 Offices (both days inclusive) to offer necessary prayers.”
Both orders contradict each other; Hindus are restricted in their religious freedom, whereas Muslims are free to exercise their religion.
Reacting to this, the Joint General Secretary of VHP Telangana, Dr. Ravinuthala Shashidhar, speaking to the organiser, slammed on these government circulars, calling them a clear insult to the Hindu community. He accuses the Congress government of hypocrisy, pointing out the clear distinction between its exemption of Muslim employees during Ramadan and the unexpected termination of Hindu festival holidays.
He suggests that if Chief Minister Revant Reddy and the Congress Party are truly concerned about Hindus, the CM, who is also in charge of the Endowments department, should hold a review meeting to discuss the arrangements made for devotees at Shiva temples across the state. In addition, he should focus on the state of temple lands that are under threat from the land mafia, as many temple lands are missing from documents, tampered with, or out of control.
Specifically, Dr Shashidhar demanded that CM should review on famous Bhadrachalam Ramalayamam temple lands. Post bifurcation of the Andhra Pradesh, lands belonging to Bhadrachalam temple came under the jurisdiction of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, but the lands in Andhra are under threat of encroachment and even their government is not responding or allowing Telangana endowment officers to assess the status of temple lands.
He also recalled on the discrimination in the police department, when Rachakonda police issued a circular asking its officers to take leave if they wanted to participate in Ayyappa Deeksha, citing a violation of the dress code, whereas Muslims employees were given freedom during Ramandan for breaks and exemptions from adhering to the uninform.
Condemning Congress government circulars, VHP Telangana State President Narasimha Murthy, State General Secretary Mr. Pandarinath, and issued a press statement on Thursday saying that it is very evil for the government to issue a government order ordering all Panchayat Raj employees to perform duties even on holidays.
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