West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party president and MP Sukanta Majumdar has written to chief minister Mamata Banerjee, urging her to declare holiday on 22 January. He has cited examples of states like neighbouring Assam and Odisha, who have declared a half-day holiday to mark the consecration ceremony. In his missive, he has said that the holiday would help people from the state to participate in the celebrations.
Central government establishments, public sector banks, insurance companies, financial institutions and regional rural banks (RRBs), across the country will remain closed for half day on the day. In his social media post Mr Majumdar wrote: “I have requested our Hon’ble CM @MamataOfficial (Mamata Banerjee) to kindly consider declaring 22nd January 2024 to be a school holiday, so that the youth of West Bengal gets to rejoice in the Ram Mandir consecration celebrations.” In his letter, Mr Majumdar said the chief minister has declared holidays on several special occasions in the past.
“So we think that on the occasion of the Ram Temple inauguration, the people of the state should also be allowed to participate in the festivities. We therefore request you to officially declare the day as a holiday,” he said.
Miss Banerjee will lead a Harmony Rally on the day from the Hazra Crossing in south Calcutta to Park Circus, where a public meeting will also be held. She will start the all-faith march after offering ‘puja’ at the centuries-old Kalighat temple and visit places of worship of different religions during its course.