Sir — It seems that there is a race amongst the parties for vote-bank politics. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has declared a public holiday on BR Ambedkar’s death anniversary. It may be noted that till now, birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Ambedkar were made public holidays. But there is no public holiday on the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, which falls on January 30. Since no political party or politician is likely to oppose the anti-public move for fear of loss of votes of Ambedkar-followers, appropriate courts should take suo motu cognisance.
The bigger question is: Do we really need birth anniversaries and death anniversaries of great leaders to be observed as Government holidaysIJ Retaining Gandhi Jayanti in the list of compulsory holidays is against the ideals of the Father of the Nation, who always desired his countrymen to work hard.
It was for the first time on October 2, 2014, that the Union Government celebrated Gandhi Jayanti in tune with the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, and in a more meaningful manner, when all Government offices remained open for the launch of the Swachch Bharat Abhiyan.