The Bihar government has come under fire for its decision to slash the number of holidays for Hindu festivals and increase the number of holidays for Muslim festivals in the academic year 2024. The move has been seen as a blatant appeasement of the Muslim community by the ruling RJD-JDU coalition led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

According to a press release by the Bihar Education Department, the 2024 holiday calendar was prepared keeping in mind the “required criteria of 220 days of teaching as per the Right To Education Act (RTE)”. However, a closer look at the calendar reveals a clear bias against the Hindu festivals and traditions.

While the number of days for summer vacations has been extended from 20 to 30, the holidays for Hindu festivals such as Rakshabandhan, Janmashtami, Ram Navami, Shivratri, Hartalika Teej and Jitiya have been scrapped altogether. On the other hand, the holidays for Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha (Bakrid) have been increased from one day to three days each. Moreover, the government has ordered all Urdu language schools to have Friday as a weekly off instead of Sunday.

The new holiday calendar has sparked outrage among the Hindu groups and activists, who have accused the government of discriminating against the majority community and violating the secular ethos of the country. They have demanded that the government should restore the holidays for the Hindu festivals and respect the sentiments of the Hindu population.

The government, however, has defended its decision, claiming that it was done to ensure uniformity and rationality in the holiday calendar. “We have followed the RTE norms and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) guidelines while making the holiday calendar. There is no question of any discrimination or favouritism towards any community,” said a senior official of the Education Department.

"Revered Hindu festivals including Makar Sankranti, Rakshabandhan, Saraswati Puja, Janmashtami, Ram Navami, Bhaidooj, and Shivratri have not even been included in the holiday calendar.

Moreover, only four Hindu festivals have been factored in which include Diwali (1), Durga Puja (3), Chhath Puja (3), and Holi (2). The total holidays on Hindu festivals account for nine days.

Whereas six so-called Muslim festivals have been included in the holiday calendar including shab-e-barat (1), Eid-ul-Fitr (3), Eid-ul-Zoha (3), Muharram (2), Chehallum (1) and Prophet Mohammad’s birthday (1). Islamic festivals account for 11 days."

The conspicuous absence of revered Hindu festivals from the holiday calendar has raised eyebrows and fueled discontent among certain sections of the community. Makar Sankranti, Rakshabandhan, Saraswati Puja, Janmashtami, Ram Navami, Bhaidooj, and Shivratri, all deeply rooted in Hindu traditions, have been omitted from the list of official holidays.

The holiday calendar, as delineated, allocates only nine days for Hindu festivals. Notably, the included Hindu festivals are Diwali (1), Durga Puja (3), Chhath Puja (3), and Holi (2). The numerical discrepancy between the representation of Hindu and Muslim festivals has intensified the ongoing debate, with concerns emerging about the perceived bias in the distribution of holidays.

Conversely, the holiday calendar incorporates six Muslim festivals, which account for a total of 11 days. These include shab-e-barat (1), Eid-ul-Fitr (3), Eid-ul-Zoha (3), Muharram (2), Chehallum (1), and Prophet Mohammad’s birthday (1). This numerical difference has become a focal point of contention, prompting discussions on religious inclusivity and cultural diversity within the educational system. The government's approach to the holiday calendar has sparked a broader conversation about the delicate balance between accommodating diverse religious practices and ensuring equity among various communities in the state's educational institutions.

"What’s more is that Urdu language schools can have the weekly holiday on Friday instead of the gazetted Sunday holiday.

Bihar govt notification on school holidays Union Minister Giriraj Singh took to X, formerly Twitter, taking a jibe at the Nitish Kumar government. “Islamic Republic of Bihar. Nitish and Lalu government extended holidays for Muslim festivals in schools, ended holidays for Hindu festivals,” he wrote.

Moreover, he said that the decision is a part of “Ghazwa-e-Hindi”. A similar post was shared by BJP Bihar X handle with the text, “Islamic Republic of Bihar.”

The introduction of Friday as the weekly holiday for Urdu language schools, as stated in the Bihar government's notification on school holidays, has added another layer to the controversy. This decision has not only altered the traditional concept of Sunday being the gazetted weekly holiday but has also raised concerns about the potential marginalization of other linguistic and cultural communities.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh, expressing his disapproval on X, formerly Twitter, criticized the Nitish Kumar government's move, stating, “Islamic Republic of Bihar. Nitish and Lalu government extended holidays for Muslim festivals in schools, ended holidays for Hindu festivals.” This statement reflects the political sensitivity surrounding the issue, with accusations of religious favoritism and an imbalance in the treatment of festivals from different communities.

Furthermore, Singh linked the decision to the concept of "Ghazwa-e-Hindi," suggesting a strategic move to undermine or diminish the cultural significance of Hindi-speaking regions. The use of such terminology adds a geopolitical dimension to the debate, emphasizing the potential consequences of decisions made in the realm of education on the broader socio-political landscape."

"Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey also took a dig at Nitish calling him the “tushtikaran ke sardar (Warlord of appeasement)” and “Bihar ke kursi kumar (chair prince of Bihar)”.

“Once again the anti-Hindu face of the uncle-nephew government came to the fore. On one hand, holidays for Muslim festivals are being extended in schools, while holidays for Hindu festivals are being abolished. Shame on the government that hates Sanatan for vote bank,” Choubey wrote.

The controversial move is a repeat of a similar decision that was taken by the Bihar government to cut down Hindu holidays between September to December from 23 to 11 days.

Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey minced no words in expressing his discontent with the Bihar government's decision. By labeling Nitish Kumar as the 'tushtikaran ke sardar' (Warlord of appeasement) and 'Bihar ke kursi kumar' (chair prince of Bihar), Choubey not only criticized the move but also portrayed it as a part of a broader trend of what he perceives as appeasement politics.

In his statement, Choubey emphasized the alleged bias in the government's approach, accusing it of being 'anti-Hindu.' He argued that while holidays for Muslim festivals are being extended in schools, those for Hindu festivals are being abolished, terming it a display of hostility toward Sanatan values for the sake of securing votes.

Choubey's choice of words, including 'shame on the government,' reflects a strong condemnation of the decision and suggests a deep-seated dissatisfaction with the perceived prioritization of one community's interests over another.

Notably, this move is not an isolated incident but a recurrence of a similar decision taken by the Bihar government previously. The reduction of Hindu holidays between September to December from 23 to 11 days underscores a consistent pattern that adds to the controversy surrounding the state's approach to cultural and religious inclusivity in the academic calendar."

"Back then, the Rakshabandhan holiday was scrapped, the number of holidays for Durga Puja was reduced from six to three and nine holidays for Diwali to Chhatth were reduced to four.

However, amid severe backlash, the government had to withdraw the decision only to bring it back now.

The controversy comes just a day after Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav while addressing an extremely backward caste community in Darbhanga mocked UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s attire and slammed him for “showing off” his Hindu faith.

The timing of the renewed controversy adds a layer of complexity, considering Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav's recent comments targeting UP CM Yogi Adityanath. The remarks, delivered just a day before the holiday calendar controversy reignited, take on added significance. Yadav's comments, mocking Yogi Adityanath's attire and accusing him of 'showing off' his Hindu faith, underscore a charged political atmosphere where cultural and religious sensitivities are intertwined with public discourse.

The convergence of these events raises questions about the broader political context and the nuanced interplay between cultural identity, electoral considerations, and public sentiment in Bihar. It signals a challenging landscape where decisions related to holidays become not just administrative matters but points of contention reflecting larger socio-political dynamics."

"He said that ringing bells (during Hindu prayers), donning a tilak (a Hindu symbol worn on the forehead) and saffron robes 'is not true devotion, they not bring food to the table, they are only for show off.'

The rekindling of this controversy is a grim reminder of a previous attempt by the Bihar government to alter the holiday calendar, where the holiday for Rakshabandhan was eliminated, and the number of holidays for Durga Puja and Diwali to Chhatth was significantly reduced. The initial decision faced intense opposition, compelling the government to backtrack, only for the controversial changes to resurface now.

Tejashwi Yadav's recent remarks, criticizing traditional Hindu practices as mere 'show off' and questioning their practical utility, add a layer of complexity to the ongoing controversy surrounding the alteration of the holiday calendar in Bihar's government schools. The juxtaposition of these comments with the decision to curtail holidays for Hindu festivals raises concerns about the potential impact on religious sentiments and communal harmony.

By dismissing religious practices as mere ostentation and suggesting that they do not contribute to practical aspects of life, Yadav's comments may resonate with a certain section of the population. However, they also risk alienating a significant portion of society that values these traditions as an integral part of their faith and cultural identity.

The timing of Yadav's comments, coinciding with the controversy over the holiday calendar, invites scrutiny into the larger narrative being shaped in Bihar's political landscape. The intertwining of cultural and religious themes with political discourse can have far-reaching consequences, influencing public opinion and shaping electoral dynamics.

In the midst of this controversy, it becomes imperative to reflect on the delicate balance required in a diverse and pluralistic society. The role of political leaders in fostering harmony and understanding among different communities is crucial. Yadav's comments, coupled with the government's decision on holidays, underscore the need for nuanced dialogue and a comprehensive approach that respects the diverse cultural fabric of the nation.

As the controversy unfolds, it prompts a broader conversation about the role of political leaders in shaping narratives around cultural and religious practices. It emphasizes the responsibility to promote inclusivity and understanding, steering clear of statements that may deepen fault lines and contribute to a polarized social climate."