Gorkhas of Assam not happy with government holiday list

A CORRESPONDENT

JAMUGURIHAT: The Gorkhas of Assam are not happy with the government holiday list which has been published because 'Bhatri Ditiya' being one of the important festivals of the Gorkha community was not included therein.

'Bhatri Ditiya' (Bhai Tika), is a festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters in which sisters put tika on the forehead of their brothers. Gorkha bodies of the State have made several requests to the State Government for inclusion of Bhatri Ditiya as a State holiday. The previous governments had granted only restricted holiday on that day. The present State Government had declared complete bandh throughout the State this year on Bhatri Ditiya through a notification. The Gorkhas hope that Bhatri Ditiya will be listed in the State holiday list next year (2021).

Expressing dissatisfaction, Dilip Gajurel, vice-president of All Assam Gorkha Students' Union (AAGSU) said, "The State Government has betrayed the Gorkha community. This year's bandh for Bhatri Ditiya was nothing but an election propaganda, a lollipop. We will go for democratic protest against the government's decision throughout the State soon."

Similarly, Rudra Baral, chief secretary of Assam Nepali Sahitya Sabha (ANSS) said, "The government has not tried to solve the issue of the Gorkhas. Actually, the Gorkhas are ignored by the State Government."

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