The Uttarakhand State Employees Joint Council has requested the Chief Minister grant a holiday on October 21st. They demand that October 21st be declared a public holiday to commemorate Diwali, the most important festival in Hinduism. This year, according to the local calendar, Diwali is celebrated on October 21st, while the government notification declares October 20th as a holiday. Shakti Prasad Bhatt, State General Secretary of the Council, stated in a letter to the Chief Minister that the notification issued by the General Administration Department lists the Diwali holiday as October 20, 2025, while according to the calendar and religious traditions, the main festival of Diwali falls on October 21st. He stated that Diwali is not only the biggest festival in Hinduism, but it is also widely celebrated socially and culturally throughout the state. Therefore, respecting the sentiments of the general public, including employees, the government should declare the correct date, October 21st, as a public holiday. He informed that in this regard, the Council’s District Nainital President, Aslam Ali, has also written to the provincial leadership, requesting the Chief Minister to revise the holiday. The Council has stated that to avoid any confusion regarding the Diwali holiday, it is necessary to issue revised orders at the government level soon.
Shakti Prasad Bhatt stated that Diwali is a festival of faith, harmony, and light throughout Uttarakhand. It is essential that the state government declare the holiday on the correct date and allow all employees and citizens to celebrate it with full enthusiasm.
