NBCC appeals Govt to respect Sunday worship in scheduling public exercises

Kohima, September 25 (MExN): The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has expressed concern over the “inconsistency” in the government’s approach to Sundays, questioning why the day can be treated as a working day to protect economic interests but not when scheduling exercises affecting Christian worship.

The NBCC In a statement signed by General Secretary Rev Dr Mar Pongener and Secretary (Social Concern) Dr Villo Naleo, said that while Christians affirm every day belongs to God, Sunday holds a distinctive place in Christian life as a day for worship, fellowship and spiritual renewal.

The council pointed to recent administrative decisions, including the publication of the draft electoral roll under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Phek district, initially scheduled for September 20, 2026, a Sunday. Although the date was later changed to September 21, the NBCC said concerns remain over the reported schedule for publication of the final electoral roll in Nagaland on November 22, 2026, which also falls on a Sunday.

“Electoral processes are essential to democracy, and their credibility must be protected. However, democratic administration must also demonstrate sensitivity to the religious convictions of the communities it serves,” it said.

The NBCC also referred to the government’s reported arrangements concerning the proposed nationwide bank strike. In view of the three-day bank strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions from September 28 to 30, 2026, coinciding with the preceding weekend holidays, Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks have reportedly been directed to function normally on Sunday, September 27, 2026.

“If Sunday can be designated a working day to protect economic interests, why can the same administrative sensitivity not be exercised when scheduling important government programmes and public exercises that affect the religious life of Christian citizens?” the NBCC asked.

The council said it was not arguing against economic necessity but appealing against inconsistency. “If Sunday is treated as flexible whenever economic or administrative interests demand it, but Christian worship is expected to yield without consideration, then the government must explain how such practices uphold the promise of equal respect for religious freedom,” it said.

The NBCC said Christians are not opposed to governance, public service or economic development, and are integral to India’s social, educational, economic, administrative and democratic life. “Therefore, respecting Sunday worship is not granting a favor to Christians; it is acknowledging the dignity and constitutional freedom of citizens who faithfully contribute to the nation,” it said.

“The Church does not demand privilege. It seeks fairness. The Church does not oppose the state. It calls the state to uphold its constitutional commitments. The Church does not reject public duty. It asks that public duty be administered with wisdom, sensitivity, and respect for conscience,” it said.

The NBCC urged the Central and state governments, and all concerned departments to exercise greater sensitivity when scheduling important government programmes, electoral exercises, official meetings and public activities on Sundays and major Christian observances; review the practice of designating Sundays as working days wherever such arrangements can reasonably be avoided; ensure administrative efficiency does not undermine religious freedom; consult religious and community representatives when public decisions have significant implications for religious observance; and uphold the constitutional promise of equality and freedom of conscience in both principle and administrative practice.

“A government that hears only the demands of administration but remains deaf to the conscience of its people risks losing the moral foundation of governance,” the NBCC said. “Do not allow administrative convenience to become a quiet instrument of religious marginalization.”

The NBCC said the anecdote highlights the importance of religious identity, personal conviction, religious freedom, and the principle that one’s faith stems from conviction. “Every administrative order must therefore be measured not merely by its efficiency or economic necessity, but also by its sensitivity to the constitutional freedoms, dignity, and conscience of the people it governs,” it said.