The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) showcaused the Chief Manager (Education), Siddharth Sankar Dhara for cancellation of holiday for Biswakarma Puja this year and allocating that holiday to Eid-ul-Fitr in the Hindi medium KMC Primary schools. The order received widespread criticism and uproar from West Bengal BJP.
The order issued and signed on Tuesday by the Chief Manager (Education) Siddharth Sankar Dhara read, “There will be no holiday for Biswakarma Puja on September 17, 2025 as one day from its allocated holiday has been adjusted to extend the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday.” Eid-ul-Fitr falls on March 31 this year, the holiday was extended from March 31 to April 1 as per the order. The memorandum was published on a KMC Education Department letterhead, it was then tweeted by BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya.
The order was later withdrawn by the KMC which issued another notice which read, “Memorandum regarding the holiday list for Hindi medium KMCP schools was issued without obtaining any concurrence from the competent authority of the KMC. The KMC clarifies that the original memorandum stands cancelled as it was issued without the KMC authority’s permission. The matter has been taken seriously, and necessary action is being initiated against the officer responsible for this lapse. A revised and accurate order will be issued in due course maintaining the State Government’s holiday list as per norm. We request everyone to refrain from any speculation or spreading any misinformation.”
KMC sources inform that there is no holiday for civic body employees for Biswakarma Puja, but the state primary schools are closed. There are 218 KMC primary schools.
Responding to the matter, Sandipan Saha, Minister-in-charge for Education at the KMC told the media, “Siddhartha Sankar Dhara has been showcaused. He cannot make any policy decisions. He does not have any jurisdiction to issue such a circular. The moment the circular came to our knowledge it was cancelled. This is a serious issue and whatever disciplinary action requires to be taken, we will take it. He has done it on his own- the question is what were his intentions?”
Mayor of Kolkata Firhad Hakim told, “Our holidays are decided according to the government calendar. I have asked the Municipal Commissioner to ask the Chief Manager why such a notice was issued. He probably did it to instigate communal issues. But West Bengal believes in peace and harmony. All religious ocassions are celebrated.”
The matter is boiling hot for the state politics and BJP is severely criticizing the ruling party Trinamool Congress (TMC) as well as the Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee. The leader of opposition from BJP in the state assembly, Suvendu Adhikari said, “Let them give four days of holidays for Eid, no problem. But why cancel the holiday for Biswakarma Puja? Why do they (TMC) attack Hindus?”