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DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) has welcomed the decision of the Nagaland government to prepone the central government’s proposed massive cleanliness drive across the country, slated from October 1 to September 30.
“This is a humble beginning of conveying our goodwill message that nothing but mutual trust and respect is the only way to develop confidence building between the State and the Centre, irrespective of caste, race and religion,” the NTC said in a press release.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]The council said it was dismayed by the announcement of the Government of India for a massive cleanliness drive across the country on October 1, as part of Swachhata Pakhwada – Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) and as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, on the eve of his birth anniversary, with the information that the Prime Minister and other dignitaries would also be joining the swachhata activities on the ground.
It said that the Christian community in Nagaland felt insulted as the date of the proposed cleanliness drive falls on a Sunday, which is a day of worship for the Christian community.
“This is not the first instance that the Hindu-dominated country discriminates the Christians in the country in general and the Northeast in particular where Nagaland is no exception to it in the matter of launching government programmes coinciding with the Sunday worshipping services,” the NTC said.
It pointed out that earlier too, the BJP government at the Centre had declared December 25, a remarkable day for the Christian community, as Good Governance Day.
Also, the International Yoga Day was officially launched on a Sunday, whereby church services were disturbed by the official programme, the council said.
“Coinciding of the official launching programmes on Sundays need to be avoided as far as practicable,” it suggested.
“It is significant to note that Nagaland is a Christian-dominated state but does not fail to give due respect to all forms of religion. It duly honours other official holidays such as the Durga Puja, Diwali, Guru Nanak Birthday, Janmashtami, Id-ul-Zuha, Holi, Id-ul-Fitr, etc.
“On the contrary, however, even the 25th of December, which is one of the greatest days for Christians the world over, surprisingly is not given due recognition and no general holiday is declared in mainland India. Due reciprocation with gesticulation of rapport from both the State and the Centre is necessary for a peaceful coexistence,” the NTC said.