Mumbai: A circular issued by the general administration department of the Maharashtra state created furore among the Christians by stating government's decision to celebrate Christmas as Good Governance Day.
The circular states, "Though (December 25) is a holiday, as part of observing good governance, employees should hold various programs on services useful for administration."
"Instead of holding seminars, the government must seek a referendum on whether it is providing good governance or not," says Fr Nigel Barrett, official spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Bombay.
Incidentally, 25th December is also the birthday of former Prime Minister and the leader of BJP, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee whose party has formed the government in the State of Maharashtra. As Fr. Nigel observed, the government's decision to celebrate their leader's birthday by enforcing a Good Governance Day rule in the state will further create an animosity towards the current government especially among the Christians as Good Friday, Easter and Christmas are the days that are held dear to Christians as the sum up what Christianity is all about.
The employees will have to observe Good Governance Day by holding workshops on the Right to Information Act, presentations on good ideas of administration, service-related training, stress-free management and by implementing the Right to Services Act.
Terming the government decision as "unfortunate and insensitive", Police Reforms Watch convener Dolphy D'Souza said "It is a very important day for Christians and a day for families to meet together. By doing such things, it only raises suspicion about the government's intentions," he said.
Last year as well the Government has made December 25 as "working holiday" and showed the complete lack of sensitivity towards the Christian minority who make up about 3% of Maharashtra's population.
