The excuse of Chief Minister in not declaring Holiday on Chhath festival is misleading - Vijender Gupta

Nitish Kumar also demands declaration of public holiday on Chhath festival

The Chief Minister of Bihar Shri Nitish Kumar met the Chief Minister of Delhi Smt. Sheila Dikshit and requested her to declare public holiday on 1st November, 2011 on Chhath festival respecting the feelings of 40 lakh people of Poorvanchal living in Delhi.

Commenting on the talks held between Shri Nitish Kumar and Smt. Sheila Dikshit on declaring holiday on Chhath festival, BJP Delhi Pradesh President Shri Vijender Gupta told that a Chief Minister should immediately declare holiday considering the advise of another Chief Minister.  Shri Gupta told that the statement of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit is misleading that she has no authority to declare holiday.  Every Chief Minister has full powers to declare public holiday on any festival in view of the sentiments of the people.  If the Chief Minister desires then she can declare public holiday on Chhath festival respecting the sentiments of Poorvanchalis.

It may be mentioned that Shri Nitish Kumar had come to Delhi to participate in the meeting of National Development Council with other Chief Ministers.  At that time he met Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit separately and requested her to declare holiday on Chhath festival.  Shri Nitish Kumar had also told Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit that there is no constitutional, legal or administrative hindrance in declaring public holiday on Chhath festival in Delhi.  In view of this great festival public holiday should be declared on 1st November, 2011.

25% population in Delhi is of Poorvanchalis who have permanently settled in Delhi and celebrate all the festivals of their home state.  For the last ten years this festival is being celebrated with great zeal in the capital Delhi.  In democratic system that Government is good which runs the administration respecting the public sentiments.  The Chief Minister who offends the sentiments of the people is treated as unpopular and anti people. A delegation of the Party under the leadership of BJP Delhi Pradesh President Shri Vijender Gupta had met the Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and had demanded for declaring public holiday in Delhi on the occasion of Chhath festival.  But the Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit disregarded this demand due to which there is great acrimony among the Poorvanchalis. 

Chhath festival is such popular festival of India in which men & women of the family observe fasting.  The people worship the setting Sun and pay obeisance.  They pass the entire night on the banks of rivers and other water bodies by singing devotional and other songs.  On the next morning they again worship the rising Sun and pay obeisance.  After that the fasting is ended. This festival is celebrated for the welfare and prosperity of family, society, country and the world.  In the ancient Indian culture Sun worship has been given much important.