Bihar govt cuts Durga Puja, Chhath holidays in schools; draws angry protests from BJP

New Delhi: Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government on Wednesday announced its decision to reduce the number of festive holidays in public schools, with an aim to allot more time for students to spend in classrooms and long festive period not hampering their studies.

However, the move to slash holidays during festivals like Diwali & Chhath has stirred political controversy. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has trained guns at Nitish dispensation for alleged discrimination & belittling the importance of Hindu festivals.

Taking potshots at Nitish govt, senior BJP leader & Parliamentarian Giriraj Singh said that conspiracy was being hatched by JD(U)-RJD coalition govt against the Hindu festivals and soon the residents may see Sharia law being adopted by state govt.

Taking to Twitter, BJP MP claimed that holidays during festivals like Durga Puja, Diwali & Chhath Puja were cancelled by state govt and alleged that soon Hindu festivals will be banned in the state.

Bihar BJP chief Samrat Choudhary also tore in Nitish govt and said that the move has hurt the sentiments of people.

Holidays cut in govt schools, from 23 to 11

Bihar Education department in a notification today curtailed the number of holidays in government schools from 23 to 11, from September to December.

Additional Chief Secretary KK Pathak also issued list of instructions for improvement of education station in the laggard state.

As per revised list, a couple of festivals have been marked as ‘no holiday’ day while the number of holidays curtailed during long festive periods.

For the unversed, Durga Puja marks the onset of long festive period in the state and it ends by Chhath Puja. Both festivals are widely celebrated in the state and offices & shops too remains closed during this period.

Cancelled Holidays

Raksha Bandhan – Aug 30
Janmashtami – Sept 7
Hartalika Teej – Sept 18, 19
Jitia – October 6
Durga Puja – holiday slashed by 3 days
Diwali to Chhath Puja – Holiday reduced by 5 days
Gurunanak Jayanti – November 27

Existing Holidays

Chahaloom – Sept 6
Anand Chaturdashi – Sept 26
Mahatami Gandhi Jayanti – Oct 2
Durga Puja – Oct 22 -24
Diwali – November 12
Chitragupta Puja – November 15
Chatth Puja – November 19-20
Christmas – December 25