The CSF Demands Good Friday & Easter Holiday for CBCE / CBDT Govt Employees

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