Yogi Adityanath government reduces holidays alloted to madrassas in new calendar

While the UP government has defended the move saying idea of festivals is not only about a day off but to know about the day's significance, Islamic institutions are not too pleased.

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New Delhi: The Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh has come under criticism from Islamic institutions for cutting the number of holidays given to state-recognised madrasas for the calendar year 2018.

The list of holidays issued by UP Madrassa Board Registrar Rahul Gupta sees a rise in the number of days off during non-Muslim festivals like Diwali, Christmas, Dusshera, Mahavir Jayanti, Buddh Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. What has irked Islamic institutions is that the number of holidays given on Ramzan has fallen from 46 to 42. Madrasas also had the option of giving 10 discretionary offs but that has now been done away with.

"As per the new calendar, holidays will be given two days before the start of Ramzan. Earlier, it was given 10 days before Ramzan. It will create difficulties for madrassa students and teachers to reach their homes in time for the festivities," Diwan Sahab Jaman, general secretary of the association, said. He further added that the move to remove 10 offs from the discretion of madrasas should be reconsidered.

State Minority Welfare Minister Chowdhury Lakshmi Narain however has defended the move and said that the idea of certain festivals is not just to have a day off but to know the significance of the day. "The new calendar applies to all boards, universities as well as madrassas. This decision is in the interest of students," Narain added.

(With PTI inputs)