Dimapur, December 19 (MExN): While appreciating the effort to honour the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee by naming his birthday (December 25) ‘Good Governance Day” and making it a full working day, the BJP Nagaland president, Visasolie Lhoungu has lamented that this has caused immense measure of confusion, disillusionment and hurt the Christian sentiments.
The State President, on behalf of the BJP Nagaland and the people of the state, has written to the Prime Minister appealing to observe ‘Good Governance Day' on any day other than Christmas day. He highlighted the importance of Christmas to Christians.
“Christmas season is not only a time of festivities (for the Christians) but also a time of prayer, repentance, sharing and thanksgiving. Accordingly, true to its importance and significance, it has always been upheld by the country’s secular constitution and declared as a gazette National holiday,” Visasolie said, according to a press release from BJP Nagaland General Secretary (Media) & Spokesperson, Jaangsillung Gonmei.
The State President has therefore appealed that Nagaland be allowed to observe Good Governance Day on any day other than Christmas day so as not to disturb the celebration of Christmas in the state as well as to clear the doubts and apprehensions in the minds of the people.
Meanwhile, the party’s central leadership has also permitted the party’s organization to observe Good Governance Day on any day other than Christmas so as not to disturb the Christmas festivities, it added.
ABAM urges to review date of Good Governance Day
Impur: Urging the Government of India to review the date of Good Governance Day, the apex body of Ao Baptist Churches (ABAM) has questioned, “Why of all the days, December 25, the Christmas Day should be turned into ‘Good Governance Day’ by the Government.”
ABAM Executive Secretary, Rev. Dr. Mar Atsongchanger in a press statement said that India is a secular country with its millions of citizens professing many religions. India’s greatest asset and strength lies in this unity in diversity. “But the recent development and decisions made by the Modi Government is shocking. This decision has hurt the sentiments of Christians all over India. It is confusing and hypocritical to observe Good Governance Day when top to bottom is corrupted and in the same old story of mis-governance.” It further inquired, “What does the Government profit by declaring Christian’s special days & celebrations, turning it into Yoga Day, Judges Day, etc.”
Strongly supporting NBCC move in urging the Centre to review the date, ABAM added, “the Government might have chosen the right date, but if the noble decision hurts its citizens causing division and instigate communal feelings and insecurity it becomes ignoble and noxious.”
