Haryana Government Sparks Controversy by Downgrading Eid -ul -Fitr to Restricted Holiday

Chandigarh: The Haryana government on Thursday announced that Eid-ul-Fitr, which falls on March 31, 2025, will be observed as a Restricted Holiday instead of a Gazetted Holiday. The BJP -led government under Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has cancelled the Gazetted Holiday for Eid, confining it to a Restricted Holiday, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters.

According to the official notification, the decision is based on the fact that March 29 and 30 fall on the weekend, and March 31 marks the closing of the financial year. However, the order only addresses the cancellation of the Gazetted Holiday for this year, with no clarity on whether it will be reinstated in 2026. The directive has been sent to all government departments, making it mandatory for offices to remain open on Eid, forcing Muslim employees to apply for personal leave if they wish to observe the festival.

Adding to the controversy, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also followed suit, cancelling Eid as a holiday on March 31 for the same fiscal reasons. However, critics argue that financial closures have never been used as a justification to alter public holidays for other major religious festivals in the past.

The government notification, issued by the Human Resources Department under Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, states:

"No. 28/67/2008-1HR-I – In partial modification of the Government Notification issued vide even number dated 26.12.2024, it is notified that Eid-ul-Fitr, i.e., 31st March 2025, shall be observed as a Restricted Holiday (Schedule-II) instead of a Gazetted Holiday, due to the fact that 29th and 30th March 2025 are weekend off days and 31st March being the closing day of the Financial Year 2024-2025.'' The notification, dated March 26, 2025, has been sent to all relevant departments for necessary action.

Backlash and Accusations of Religious Intolerance

The decision has sparked outrage among Muslim organisations, employee unions, and opposition parties, who view it as an act of religious discrimination. “This is a clear case of religious bias. If financial year-end obligations were truly a concern, the government could have found alternative administrative solutions instead of targeting a specific religious festival,” said a spokesperson from the Haryana Minority Commission.

Opposition leaders, have condemned the decision, calling it a step toward religious intolerance. “By selectively removing Eid from the list of Gazetted Holidays, the government is setting a dangerous precedent. This is not just about one year; there is no guarantee that Eid will be reinstated as a Gazetted Holiday in the future,” said a senior leader.

For Muslim government employees, the decision means they must now use a personal leave day to observe Eid, rather than receiving an automatic day off. Many see this as an unnecessary burden that disregards the cultural and religious significance of the festival. Legal experts and activists have also raised concerns about the constitutional implications of the move, questioning whether it violates fundamental rights to religious freedom and equal treatment.

The Haryana government has defended its decision, arguing that the financial year-end necessitates the functioning of all government offices on March 31. However, critics counter that similar adjustments have not been made for other religious holidays in the past. With protests mounting and legal challenges being considered, pressure is growing on the government to reverse its decision. Whether the administration will bow to public demand or maintain its stance remains to be seen. Meanwhile, the controversy continues to fuel debates over religious inclusivity and government policies in India.