Now, Hindu groups want holiday day after Shivaratri

BENGALURU: Several Hindu organizations in the state have demanded that the government grant a holiday to Hindu employees a day after Shivaratri, allowing them to take a day off to perform puja and other rituals including staying awake through the night.

The demand comes after Muslim employees were granted a one-hour exemption from work during Ramzan. The Hindu organizations have written to the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah requesting that Hindu employees be given a similar concession.

The government has given one hour of exemption to employees of the Muslim community in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh during Ramzan. Similarly, KPCC vice-president A R M Hussain and Syed Ahmed had written to the Chief Minister requesting that such an opportunity be granted in the state as well.

Following this, Hindu organizations, which initially opposed the demand for one-hour exemption for Muslims during Ramzan, have now changed their stance and are requesting the government to give additional leave to Hindu employees on festive occasions.

The organizations argue that since Shivaratri is celebrated late at night and many Hindu employees will be unable to attend work the next day. They also pointed out that the next day is also a day for puja and other rituals.

They have requested the government to issue an order granting Hindu employees a day off on the day after Shivaratri. They have also requested that this concession be made permanent and applicable every year.

Sharath Kumar of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and Keshavamurthy of Hindu Jagran Vedike said that Hindu devotees will need some rest after Shivaratri jagaran. “People get tired after performing puja to Lord Shiva. Hence, the government should grant leave for Hindu employees. We are also requesting the government leave employees to leave a little earlier than usual. The government should follow secular principles in terms of granting holidays”, they said.