S Ali Demands Increased Holidays for Muslim Festivals and Separate Holiday for Urdu Schools
Ranchi – Jharkhand Student Union, S Ali, has demanded an increase in holidays for Muslim festivals and the issuance of a separate holiday for Urdu schools from various state government departments. S Ali, mentioned in the letter to the department of Personnel Administrative Reforms and State Language, Department Of School Education & Literacy Secretary, as well as to the Chief Minister and the concerned ministers. Despite the Jharkhand Educational Research and Training Council issuing a holiday schedule for government employees and schools for the year 2025, no additional holidays for Muslim festivals have been included. Separate holiday schedules have historically been issued for Urdu schools, Muslim students, teachers, and employees since the state’s establishment.
Notably, only one day off has been granted for major Muslim festivals like Eid and Bakrid, while there is a clear need to increase the number of holidays to properly reflect the significance of these festivals. Similarly, the holiday for Muharram has been vaguely defined, and holidays for Shab-e-Barat, Alvida Jumma, and Chehallum have been left to the discretion of individual districts, which constitutes a violation of equality and justice. The Jharkhand Student Union has made the following key demands from the state government: A separate holiday for Muslim festivals should be issued, as it has been in the past.
Holidays for Muslim festivals should be increased as follows:
Eid: 3 days of holiday should be allotted for Urdu schools.
Bakrid: 3 days of holiday should be allotted for Urdu schools.
Muharram: 2 days of holiday should be allotted for Urdu schools.
Shab-e-Barat, Alvida Jumma, and Chehallum: These important festivals should be included in the state-level holiday schedule so that all Muslim teachers, employees, and students can celebrate them with enthusiasm and joy.
Additionally, the following measures should be implemented to ensure equality in holidays for Muslim festivals, as compared to other schools:
The holiday for Kalash Sthapana should be excluded for Urdu schools.
One of the holidays from Chhath Puja (the morning offering) should be excluded for Urdu schools.
The holiday for Karma Phulkhonsi should be excluded for Urdu schools.
The holiday for Holika Dahan should be excluded for Urdu schools.
The holiday for Buddh Purnima should be excluded for Urdu schools.
These changes will ensure that Urdu school teachers, students, and Muslim government employees can celebrate their festivals with respect and happiness, while promoting equality and fostering unity and brotherhood among all communities.
