ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Apr 14:

Amidst criticism from the Christian community over the NDA government’s move to observe Digital India Day commemorating Dr. BR Ambedkar’s birth anniversary which coincided with Good Friday, Government spokesperson cum IPR Minister, Bamang Felix on Friday clarified that it was just a coincidence that both the solemn occasions fell on the same day this year.

‘The birth anniversary of Father of the Constitution is widely celebrated across the country with huge enthusiasm every year on 14^th April. However the date for “Good Friday” is not fixed and is observed by the Christian community on the second Friday of April every year,’ pointed out Felix.

He also said that the government had decided to observe “Digitial India Day” on April 14 as tribute to the Dr BR Ambedkar’s contribution to the nation and the observance was not in any way to hurt the sentiments of the Christian community.

Terming it as “twist of fate”, Felix requested the Christian community not to have any misunderstanding regarding the celebration.

‘For Christians, Good Friday is the most important day in their religious calendar and their sentiments has been respected by NDA government,’ he said while conveying best wishes to the community across the state on the auspicious day.

Meanwhile, BJP state president, Tapir Gao has also appealed the Christian community not to have any apprehension or misgiving on this issue.

‘Occurrence of Good Friday and Digital India Day on the same date this year is purely a coincidence. Contrary to the rumours being spread by some vested interest group in social media and other public domains, there is no deliberate intention on the part of BJP Government to usurp  Good Friday as Digital India Day,’ he said.

Asserting that the date of Good Friday falls on different dates in different years, Gao backed his point by citing that next year Good Friday will fall on 30^th March.

‘Through this communiqué, I intend to specify the intention and stand of BJP on this issue and allay the trepidation of all concern. I assure the Christian brothers and sisters that our party is a democratic and secular party where we respect and appreciate the religious sentiments and practices of all faiths. This democratic nature and secular character of BJP is reflected by the composition of our party members and workers who comes from different beliefs and faiths. Many of the senior state office bearers and senior leaders of BJP in Arunachal Pradesh come from Christian community. They are in fact the backbone of our party and they have been working very hard and sincerely for so many years for strengthening the party in Arunachal Pradesh. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that such responsible leaders hailing from Christian community will take or will be party to any decision or policy that is detrimental to the interest of Christian community of the State,’ Gao said.

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List