The holiday for Hindu New Year has sparked anger from Akhilesh Yadav's political party, who have accused the ruling party of intentional exclusion. In an exclusive conversation, S T Hasan addresses the issue, bringing to light the growing discontent and further divisions that this controversy has caused. With Navratri underway, the controversy deepens over the alleged 'scam' involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Navratri Controversy Sparks Political Divide in Uttar Pradesh
The recent decision by the Uttar Pradesh government to grant a half-day holiday on Navratri, a Hindu festival, has sparked controversy and political division in the state.
Background
Navratri is a nine-day Hindu festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil. It is observed twice a year, in the spring (Chaitra Navratri) and the autumn (Sharad Navratri). The autumnal Navratri, which began on October 17th, 2023, is particularly significant and is associated with the worship of the goddess Durga.
Political Accusations
The decision to grant a half-day holiday on Navratri has been met with anger from the Samajwadi Party (SP), which is the principal opposition party in Uttar Pradesh. SP leaders have accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of intentionally excluding the Muslim community from the holiday.
SP national president Akhilesh Yadav said that the BJP government's decision was a "blatant attempt to divide the state along religious lines." He demanded that the government extend the holiday to all festivals, including Eid and Muharram, which are important for Muslims.
Government Response
The BJP government has defended its decision, saying that Navratri is a "national festival" that should be observed by all Indians. The government also pointed out that it had granted holidays for other festivals, such as Diwali and Holi, which are celebrated by Hindus.
Growing Discontent
The controversy has unleashed growing discontent and further divisions in Uttar Pradesh, which has a diverse population with significant Hindu and Muslim communities. The SP's accusations have resonated with many Muslims in the state, who feel that they are being excluded from the government's decision-making process.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Why is Navratri a controversial holiday? It has sparked controversy because the Uttar Pradesh government granted a half-day holiday for Navratri, but not for other festivals important to Muslims.
2. Who has accused the government of exclusion? The Samajwadi Party, led by Akhilesh Yadav.
3. What has the government's response been? The government has defended its decision, saying that Navratri is a "national festival" that should be observed by all Indians.
4. What are the potential consequences of this controversy? It could lead to further divisions and tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities in Uttar Pradesh.
5. What are some past events related to this controversy? In 2022, the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government in Uttar Pradesh banned loudspeakers in mosques during Navratri. This decision was also met with protests from Muslim groups.
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