Recently one of the Supreme Court judges had shown courage and power of conviction to question the logic of the higher ups of holding national conference for Judges in India on Good Friday which is a day of prayer and worship for the Christians.
Hats off to this judge who showed grit and guts thereby manifested what it means to be a true Christian. It is not an isolated incident. It has reference to what has been happening in India in recent time. The present dispensation at the centre had declared good governance day on Christmas day which is another important day for the Christian families all over the world.
In Goa a film festival was held on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Christians in India have been on receiving end in very many ways since the present dispensation came to power at the centre. Every religion has some important days of prayer and worship in India. Government has declared them as national holidays. Therefore holding another important programme wherein government servants and others are expected to participate may look insensitive and inappropriate.
If the present regime at the centre and the state are keen on holding important programmes during public holidays then they must show it by practicing than preaching. One of the practical ways would be to have some important national programmes like national conferences, film festivals, and good governance day on national holidays such as Diwali, Dussera and Holi. That will really show that Governments of the day are secular in words and deeds.
Rui Pereira, Navelim
