SHILLONG, April 13 - NITI Aayog has deferred the Digidhan Mela in Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland scheduled to be held on April 14 as these Christian majority States are observing April 14 as Good Friday, officials said today.
�It has been decided that Digi Dhan Melas may be held on any other date convenient to the State Governments of Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland,� NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer, Amitabh Kant said in an order sent to Chief Secretaries of these States today.
He said that these State Governments are facing an issue of organising the Melas on April 14 on account of Good Friday.
The order came following protests by respective State Governments that observing such Melas on Good Friday go against the Christian majority in these States.
The State unit of BJP had also petitioned the Central leadership on the need to have some flexibility on having such mela on other dates except on April 14 this year.
�We respect the sentiments of the people in the State and we have informed our leaders on the issue which we hope they would do something about it,� president of Meghalaya unit of BJP Shibun Lyngdoh had said earlier today. � PTI
Tura Correspondent adds: Youth Congress today led a rally of peopleof Christian faith in Phulbari town to protest against the Central Government�s decision to celebrate April 14 as Digital India Day, as it falls on Good Friday, one of the most important days in the Christian calendar.
The rallyists burnt the effigies of PM Narendra Modi, BJP National President Amit Shah and BJP in-charge Meghalaya, Nalin Kohli for allegedly trying to suppress the minorities.
Aizawl Correspondent adds: Taking a strong exception to the BJP-led NDA Government�s decision to observe Digital India Day on Good Friday, Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee today slammed the BJP for its �continuous insult� towards the Christians.
�The BJP has done it on Christmas Day, calling in Good Governance Day since the last two years. This clearly shows the BJP�s agenda to eliminate religious minorities and establish a Hindu nation,� the MPCC said in a statement today.
The MPCC also praised the State chief secretary Lalmalsawma for writing a letter to Amitabh Kant, CEO, National Institution for Transforming India, NITI Aayog, that the Digidhan Mela on April 14 cannot be observed as the day coincides with Good Friday.
Young Mizo Association, the largest non-governmental organisation in Mizoram, on Wednesday expressed strong opposition to the NDA Government�s decision to hold Digital India Day on April 14 that coincides with Good Friday, a sacred day for the State�s Christian-majority population.