CM says he expressed opposition to centre’s move
DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 18 (MExN): Nagaland State Chief Minister, TR Zeliang today informed he along with other Chief Ministers from the North East had earlier this year opposed the central government’s move to hold December 25 as ‘Good Governance Day.’
A statement from the CMO informed that the Nagaland CM had apprised the PM that to hold such an observance on the date, no matter how noble the gesture or intention, would deeply hurt the religious sentiments of Christians.
“The Chief Minister is of the considered opinion that though Good Governance is constitutional right of the people, and though the date has been fixed to coincide with the birth day of revered leader of the nation and former Prime Minister of India, Atal Behari Vajpayee, the day being Christmas Day is inappropriate to hold any official function or occasion,” it stated.
It informed that as recent as December 12 last, the Chief Minister had written to the Prime Minister bringing to his notice the objections raised by various organisations in Nagaland against the declaration of December 25 as Good Governance Day. The Chief Minister pointed out that the Government of India has been continuously observing Christmas day as a national holiday ever since India’s Independence, and even before.
He had suggested to the Prime Minister that the ’Good Governance Day’ could be observed on some other more convenient date, so as not to hurt the sentiments of the minority Christian community in India.
“In the event that changing of date is not possible, Nagaland State may be exempted from the obligation to organize any such official function on 25th December,” the Chief Minister had requested the Prime Minister.
