Ukhrul: Several condemnations have poured in from the Christian and tribal communities over the Government of Manipur’s order of March 27, 2024, where the Governor of Manipur declared March 30 and 31, 2024, Saturday and Sunday, as working days.
In this regard, the Tamenglong Baptist Church, recognized as the largest church in the Zeliangrong area, has strongly condemned an order issued by the Manipur government. The church has expressed that this order goes against the interests of the Christian minority and hampers national integration efforts.
In a Joint Representation Condemnation Statement addressed to the Government of Manipur, the Village Authority Chairman Council (VACC) and Chairman & Secretary Association of Tamenglong (CSAT) have disapproved and strongly condemned Saturday’s order. They highlighted that the order indirectly hurts the sentiments of the Christian community at large and strongly opposes the one-sided gestures towards minorities.
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Meanwhile, the Senapati District Catholic Union (SDCU) has also vehemently condemned Order LIB-101/1/2022-GAD-GAD-Part(1) issued by the Governor of Manipur. This order mandates the operation of all government offices on 30th (Saturday) and 31st (Sunday) March, which are significant days for the Christian community as Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday, respectively. SDCU stated that this decision is not only insensitive but also disrespectful towards religious sentiments and cultural diversity. SDCU urged the GoM to reconsider and revoke the order to uphold religious freedom and respect for diversity.
Over the same declaration, the Mao Baptist Churches Association also expressed deep anguish and disproval of the notification by the Manipur Governor, labeling it unconstitutional and a violation of religious freedom. The association urged the government to swiftly reconsider and withdraw the notification to ensure religious freedom and uphold fundamental rights.
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Similarly, the Tangkhul Naga Baptist Convention called for the immediate revocation of the order, stating that it infringes upon the religious rights and freedom of Christians in Manipur. They emphasized that Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday are globally revered days for Christians, and forcing government offices to operate on these days is a blatant violation.
Furthermore, the Poumai Naga Tsiidoumai Me criticized the government’s pretext of ensuring smooth office operations during the financial year-end, calling it biased. They urged the GoM to withdraw the order promptly and demonstrate a commitment to fostering harmony and inclusivity among all religious communities.
“Easter Sunday holds immense significance for Christians as it commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a foundational event in Christian faith. It is a day of worship, spiritual reflection, familial bonding, and celebration for millions of Christians worldwide. By mandating the functioning of offices on this sacred day, the Government’s directive demonstrates a lack of respect for religious diversity and undermines the secular fabric of our nation,” the Chandel Naga Christian Forum stated.
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