Parliament plea for Muslim and Hindu bank holiday in UK calendar

PARLIAMENT may have to consider introducing Muslim and Hindu bank holidays. An online petition requesting a day off for Hindu festival Diwali and Muslim celebration Eid has attracted more than 119,000 signatures and has three months more to run. Under the rules of the e-petition scheme, introduced in 2011, once the 100,000 signature mark is passed it should be considered for a House of Commons debate.

The debate will stir controversy because these could become the first non-Christian religious holidays in Britain and could lead to calls from other faiths for similar treatment. It could also anger nationalists who have complained St George’s Day and St David’s Day are not holidays.

It was drawn up by Jon Timmis who said: “I believe that, given the number of Muslims and Hindus in this country it is only fair we allow them to have the most important days in their faiths recognised in law.”

Vinod Popat, chairman of The ­British Hindu Voice, said: “I don’t think it is a very good idea. How many festivals are there for other religions. Should they all be marked with a ­public holiday? The country would grind to a halt.”

[link to www.express.co.uk]

.