DIMAPUR, APRIL 12 (MExN): The Nagaland State Government will not be observing any activity related to promotion of Digital Payment on April 14, 2017, the day being a public holiday (Good Friday).
A press note from the Nagaland State Chief Secretary, Pankaj Kumar informed that the Government of India is going to organize Mega Draw and Digi Dhan Mela on April 14 for promotion of digital payment. In this connection, a video conference was held on April 7 by Government of India where senior officers from the State Government participated. It was informed that the programme will be organized in 100 cities in the country. The list of locations does not include any place in Nagaland.
The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) had also expressed concern at the move by the Government of India to observe Digital India Day on Good Friday. A press note from the NBCC informed that it conveyed the council’s concerns to the Nagaland State Chief Minister. The NBCC stated that “Passion Week or Holy Week is the time from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday (Resurrection Sunday) and the week includes Good Friday.” This is a time when Christians all over the world commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and includes exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private, it reminded. The NBCC acknowledged that it received assurance from the Government of Nagaland that Digital India Day will not be observed on Good Friday in Nagaland.
Meanwhile the move by the Government of India to observe the day on Good Friday has drawn criticism from several quarters. On Tuesday, the Meghalaya government expressed its strong opposition against the Centre’s decision.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said that his state government will not participate in such programmes which aim at diluting the secular fabric of the nation.
“I will write to the Prime Minister as it is necessary for me to express concern on behalf of the people with special reference to the North East, which have a major chunk of Christian community,” he said.
He said the state government has officially intimated the Union Cabinet Secretary in this regard.
Lambasting at the Centre’s decision, Mukul had stated: “We have to be candid in asking what is their agenda. The identification of dates – observing Good Governance Day on Christmas and now Digital India Day on Good Friday – are they (BJP-led NDA) trying to marginalise the minority? Is it that they selectively identifying these dates to marginalise the minorities with a complete disregard to the Constitutional obligation of ensuring personal liberty?” On Wednesday, the National People’s Party (NPP), a BJP ally, urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to defer the Digital India Day to be held on April 14.
“With my sincere concern for the Christian communities who strongly believe that Good Friday is holy auspicious moment, I humbly suggest you to kindly defer the Digital India Day so that the secular fabric of India remains honoured both in writing and spirit,” NPP Lok Sabha member Conrad K. Sangma said in a letter.
It may be noted that the central government had previously also drawn criticism from various quarters for its move in changing the gazette calendar and setting Christmas day as Good Governance Day. With agency inputs
