New Delhi, Jan 22 (.) The Congress on Thursday demanded that the Delhi government declare February 1 a public holiday and a dry day on the occasion of Sant Shiromani Ravidas Jayanti, calling it a mark of respect for the religious sentiments of his followers.
Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav said Chief Minister Rekha Gupta should seek immediate cabinet approval and issue a notification declaring a public holiday and banning the sale of liquor on the day.
Referring to last year, Yadav said that following the 2025 assembly election results, the Delhi Lieutenant Governor had declared a public holiday on Ravidas Jayanti on February 12, 2025, during which government offices, schools and local body offices remained closed.
However, he alleged that no explicit announcement was made to declare a dry day at the time, which he said reflected the BJP’s approach.
Yadav also accused the central government of targeting the Dalit community’s religious sentiments, alleging that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), acting on the directions of the BJP-led central government, demolished the Sant Ravidas temple in Delhi’s Tughlakabad on August 10, 2019, following a Supreme Court order.
“The Tughlakabad temple of Guru Ravidas is considered a sacred site by the Dalit community. Its demolition was a direct attack on their faith and beliefs,” Yadav said.
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