SHILLONG, MEGHALAYA – Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is a state-owned telecommunications company with headquarters in New Delhi. It is the 5th-largest provider of mobile telephone provider in India and the largest service providing both fixed and broadband services in the country.
Last week, P.G. Nirmal, the general manager of the BSNL telecom district in the Northeast Indian state of Meghalaya announced that the business would remain open on March 30th rather than allow employees the day off to observe Good Friday.
Meghalaya, the wettest region of India, is bordered by only one other Indian state. Its southern and western borders are shared with Bangladesh. With nearly 75% of the people professing to be Christians, it is one of only three states in India where the majority population is Christian.
The decision stirred protests in the area, including a statement from one legislator who said, “This notification is against the sentiments of the Christian community because Good Friday is observed as an important day by the community.”
Earlier today, BSNL rescinded its decision and has decided that its offices will be closed in observance of Good Friday. The announcement came from State Home Minister James K. Sangma.
Information & Public Relations Minister, A.L. Hek noted that Good Friday is not a working day for Central or State governments with Meghalaya and thanked Mr. Nirmal for making the decision to allow BSNL’s employees to observe the holy day.
Sources:
- Press Trust of India, BSNL Meghalaya declares Good Friday as holiday
- Business Standard, BSNL Meghalaya declares Good Friday as holiday
- The Shillong Times, Protest Against Good Friday as Working Day
- The Shillong Times, BSNL Reverses Order To Keep Offices Open In Meghalaya On Good Friday
Image Source:
- By KuwarOnline (Own work) [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
