DIMAPUR, SEP 25 (NPN): Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has expressed concern over government decisions to schedule important administrative and electoral activities on Sundays, saying such practices could disregard the religious convictions of Christian citizens.
In a statement issued by NBCC general secretary Rev. Dr. Mar Pongener and secretary social concern Dr. Villo Naleo, titled “When Sunday Is Protected for Economic Necessity but Disregarded for Religious Conviction”, NBCC cited a 1977 incident involving then Prime Minister Morarji Desai and cabinet secretary N.K. Mukarji, after Mukarji requested reconsideration of a governors’ conference scheduled for December 25–26, which included Christmas Day. NBCC said the incident highlighted the importance of religious identity, personal conviction, religious freedom and conscience.
The council said the government had a responsibility to serve all citizens without discrimination or prejudice and that administrative decisions should take into account constitutional freedoms, dignity and religious convictions, alongside efficiency and economic considerations.
NBCC said there had been instances where Sundays and significant Christian observances were designated as working days, leaving Christian citizens caught between official duties and religious obligations.
It said Sunday held a distinctive place in Christian life as a day for worship, fellowship, spiritual renewal and strengthening of faith and identity. Treating Sunday merely as an interchangeable day for strikes and bandhs, it said, overlooked its religious and communal significance.
The council referred to the Chakhesang Baptist Church Council’s (CBCC) opposition to the publication of the draft electoral roll under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Phek district, initially scheduled for September 20, 2026, a Sunday. Although the date was subsequently changed to September 21, it said concerns remained over the reported publication of the final electoral roll in Nagaland on November 22, 2026, which also falls on a Sunday.
NBCC said electoral processes were essential to democracy and their credibility had to be protected, but added that democratic administration should also demonstrate sensitivity towards the religious convictions of communities. It said there was no inherent conflict between conducting constitutional exercises and respecting worship practices.
The council also referred to arrangements reportedly made in view of the proposed three-day bank strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) from September 28 to 30. It said public sector banks and regional rural banks had reportedly been directed to function normally on Sunday, September 27, to ensure continuity of essential banking services.
While acknowledging the importance of uninterrupted banking services, NBCC questioned why similar administrative sensitivity could not be exercised when scheduling government programmes and public exercises affecting Christian worship.
“This is not an argument against economic necessity. It is an appeal against inconsistency,” the council said, adding that if Sunday could be treated as flexible for economic or administrative interests, the government should explain how such practices upheld equal respect for religious freedom.
Under the heading “The Church Cannot Remain Silent When Conscience Is Marginalized”, the NBCC said Christians were not opposed to governance, public service, economic development or legitimate responsibilities of the state. It said Christians contributed to India’s social, educational, economic, administrative and democratic life.
The council said respecting Sunday worship was not granting a privilege to Christians but acknowledging the dignity and constitutional freedom of citizens.
“The Church does not demand privilege. It seeks fairness. The Church does not oppose the state. It calls the state to uphold its constitutional commitments,” NBCC said.
The council urged the Government of India, Government of Nagaland and concerned departments to exercise greater sensitivity when scheduling government programmes, electoral exercises, official meetings and public activities on Sundays and major Christian observances.
It also called for reviewing the practice of designating Sundays as working days wherever reasonably avoidable, ensuring that administrative efficiency did not undermine religious freedom, consulting religious and community representatives where public decisions had significant implications for religious observance, and upholding equality and freedom of conscience in administrative practice.
NBCC said a government that heard only administrative demands but remained insensitive to the conscience of its people risked undermining the moral foundation of governance. It appealed to authorities not to allow administrative convenience to become an instrument of religious marginalisation and urged governance based on justice, inclusion and mutual respect.
“Let Sundays remain a day when Christian citizens can worship without unnecessary conflict between faith and official duty,” the council stated.
Saturday, September 26, 2026