 It
is indeed unfortunate that some government employees, like those of the
CBCE and CBDT will not be able to observe the Lenten Holy Week in a
befitting manner. This is as many of them have complained to The CSF
that they are being called to work.
Please find below, a draft of a protest email that we urge you send to the authorities, praying that there is a change of mind.
Blessings & Respect - Joseph Dias
Copy, Paste and Email the below to:
pmosb@pmo.nic.in, fm@finance.nic.in, office@rahulgandhi.in, chmn-cbec@nic.in, csfpost@gmail.com, rawat.surendra@nic.in, CM@maharashtra.gov.in
Dear Decision-maker,
Sub: Urgent Request to Grant Christians in Central Excise and Customs Government Departments Good Friday Holiday.
Exempt all Christian Govt Employees from Working on 29th, 30th and 31st March Due to Holy Week Religious Observances. No Good Friday Holiday in Jammu & Kashmir too.
Ref: The CSF protest memorandum sent by Joseph Dias, the General Secretary - csfpost@gmail.com +91 9769555657
We take
strong exception to some central government departments, who have issued
instructions that their offices remain open during the end of March
2013, which coincides with the Holy Week religious observances of the
community. The
Christian government employees, especially those of the Central Board
of Excise and Customs are called to work even on Good Friday, when the
crucifixion of Jesus on the cross is commemorated.
Christendom's
biggest feast, Easter falls on 31st March 2013 - a day that the Central
Board of Direct Taxes and Income Tax department is expected to work,
as per a circular issued where offices are expected to be open not just
on Easter Sunday, but also on Holy Saturday, as the Easter weekend is
the deadline for filing tax returns.
As a
result, Christian government employees are being compelled to come to
work, even if there is no work and are unable to fulfill their religious
Lenten observances. This has hurt the sentiments of the Christian
community. Not exempting Christians from the Holy Weekend is shocking,
especially since Good Friday and Easter, internationally observed, is a
culmination of over 40 days of prayer, fasting and abstinence. The
government would dare not expect believers of any other faith to work on
religiously auspicious days. Why then are Christians being taken for
granted?
While the
community believes, Jesus Christ was killed on Good Friday, a day of
mourning; Holy Saturday that follows is a day of prayer before Easter,
when Jesus is resurrected. Thus, all three days are of religious
significance and we urge the government to consider a restricted holiday
at least on Good Friday and Easter Sunday - 29th and 31st March 2013.
If need be, the date of filing financial returns could be extended by a
day.
It gives
the impression that the government is highly insensitive by declaring
Good Friday and Easter Sunday as working days only last week, though it
is known well in advance. Christian employees will find it difficult to
fulfill their religious obligations and also are traditionally expected
to be with their families and fellow-Christians for the Lenten
observances.
The purpose
of working is only to facilitate revenue collection. But the circulars
could be misused by the Chief/Joint/Addl Commissioners and other
bureaucrats who would want Christian government employees to report for
duty, even if their presence is not required.
Christians
are being discriminated in Jammu and Kashmir too, where Good Friday is
not a holiday, unlike Holi, which falls on 27th March and other holidays
like - Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, Guru Nanak Jayanti, etc.
We look forward to your action at the earliest.
Thanking you, with regards,
Yours Sincerely,
(YOUR NAME)
Below are the 2 links for your reference:
Link: http://www.cbec.gov.in/deptt_offcr/circ-deptl/offices2bopen.pdf
Link: http://www.thetaxcorp.in/Contents/details.aspx?ID=16830 |
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