Shillong, Sept 24: The Federation of Khasi Jaiñtia and Garo People (FKJGP) has strongly opposed the Ministry of Finance’s directive to keep Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks open on Sunday, September 27, ahead of the proposed nationwide bank strike from September 28 to 30.
The FKJGP said Meghalaya is a Christian-majority state with over 75 per cent Christian population.
“Sunday is not just a weekly holiday but a sacred day set apart by God for Christians,” said general secretary Eldie Newton Lyngdoh.
“It is a day when families go to church to worship and pray,” he said.
Questioning whether the Ministry is aware that forcing work on Sunday in a Christian-majority state amounts to disregard for religious rights guaranteed by the Constitution, Lyngdoh said the order was issued from Delhi without consultation with the state government, churches or employees.
The FKJGP urged the Ministry of Finance, Reserve Bank of India and the Meghalaya government to review the implementation of the order in the state and find ways that respect observance of Sunday.
It also urged BJP MLAs to take up the matter seriously.
The federation warned that if the order is not withdrawn, it will be compelled to take strong steps to prevent banks from functioning on that day.
