Bangladesh Christians Demand Public Holiday for Easter with Human Chain
Christians in Bangladesh formed a human chain in the capital, Dhaka, demanding that Easter Sunday be declared a public holiday. The demonstration, organized by the Bangladesh Christian Association, took place in front of the National Press Club, with participation from community members, clergy, and leaders.
Speakers at the event emphasized that Easter is one of the most important religious occasions for Christians, yet it is not recognized as a public holiday in the country. As a result, many believers are forced to manage work obligations alongside religious observances, limiting their ability to fully participate in the celebrations.
Community leaders described the demand as long-standing, noting that it is raised every year without any concrete response from the authorities. They called on the government to declare a one-day public holiday for Easter through an executive order and to include it permanently in the national holiday calendar.
Christian representatives also highlighted disparities in holiday allocations, stating that followers of other major religions in Bangladesh receive multiple public holidays for their key festivals, while Christians are granted only one Christmas Day.
Religious leaders and participants stressed that recognizing Easter as a public holiday would enable Christians to properly observe the occasion with their families and communities. They also emphasized the importance of inclusivity and equal recognition of all religious groups.
Overall, the demonstration reflects growing demands from the Christian minority in Bangladesh for greater recognition of their religious rights and traditions within the national framework.
