It was a day of happiness and relief to the Christian communities of the Union territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, hearing the news of Good Friday declared as a Gazetted Holiday, by the Mumbai High Court on 15th April,2019. The Good Friday falling on 19th April was initially called a working day by the administration in these Union territories which derived a sense of anger and resentment among the Catholic community in the area, since the day is observed sacred by them.
Mr Haresh Jagtiani, Sr Advocate appeared for the petitioner Mr Antony Fransisco Duarte, stressed on the rights of secular principles of the Indian constitution for the welfare of citizens irrespective of minorities. Although the respondent justified their action by stating that the impact of working day is less since the Catholic population is small in the region, the Hon’ble court was dissatisfied by the answer.
The Hon’ble High court stating the importance of the Christian festivals for all in the country,thought it is just and expedient to declare Good Friday as a Gazetted Holiday. The same was directed to the administrative authorities.
