Dhaka: Christians form human chain calling for Easter to be a ‘national holiday’

The event took place yesterday at the National Press Club in the capital, organised by the Bangladesh Christian Association. Leaders pointed out that other religions enjoy numerous public holidays, whilst Christians have only one at Christmas. Among their demands is greater participation in the country’s public life.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - A human chain and a public demonstration to demand that Easter Sunday be recognised as a public holiday and included among the national holidays. This initiative was launched yesterday morning at 11 am, in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka, by the Bangladesh Christian Association (BCA), with over a hundred members of the local Christian community taking part. Those present chanted slogans, sang hymns and appealed to the government, emphasising that this celebration is “fundamental” to the Christian faith and identity.

Addressing the crowd, Fr Albert Thomas Rozario, director of the Archiepiscopal House in Dhaka, stated that Christians in Bangladesh continue to face unfair treatment regarding the recognition of religious holidays. “We see that the faithful of other religions in this country,” the priest explained to AsiaNews, “enjoy several days off during their major religious festivals, whilst Christians are granted just one day off, at Christmas.”

Continuing his remarks, Fr Rozario noted that Christians have raised this request on several occasions, ever since the early days of Bangladesh’s independence, but that, 55 years on, nothing has really changed except on sporadic occasions such as in 2019. “Christians,” he emphasised, “have appealed to successive governments to make Easter Sunday a public holiday, but no government has listened. We are often told that granting more public holidays would hinder the country’s development. But will granting one extra day really affect national progress?” the priest concluded.

Nirmol Rozario, of the BCA, described the request as fair and justified. Speaking at the event, he also raised broader concerns regarding the participation of Christians and other minorities in public life. He called for the inclusion of at least one Christian minister in the government cabinet, the reservation of a minimum of five seats for Christians in the national Parliament, and greater representation in government institutions, including the secretariat and the armed forces.

The Christian leader also urged the state broadcaster Bangladesh Television (BTV) and private channels to broadcast special programming throughout Easter Sunday; at the same time, he called for symbolic gestures such as illuminations and decorations at Bangabhaban, the President’s official residence, to mark Easter. He also requested the appointment of Christian teachers in state schools attended by Christian pupils.

On 30 March, the Bangladesh Christian Association submitted a formal request to the Prime Minister. The letter, signed by President Nirmol Rozario and Secretary Hemanta Rozario, noted that Easter Sunday, one of the most important festivals for Christians, will be celebrated on 5 April this year. The letter explained that Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ following his crucifixion and is a source of profound joy and great spiritual significance.

The association then requested that 5 April be declared a public holiday by executive decree and that Easter Sunday be permanently included in the official list of national holidays for years to come. In Bangladesh, Friday and Saturday are weekly public holidays.

Christian leaders argue that a public holiday on Easter Sunday would allow the faithful to participate fully in religious services and celebrations, which are currently limited due to normal working hours.