RBI Announces Public Holiday Ahead Of Ram Temple Event On January 22
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released a statement declaring public holiday on January 22, 2024 “under the Negotiable Instruments Acts, 1881”. The declaration was in connection with Ayodhya Ram Temple consecration event.
The statement from RBI read that, “there will be no transactions and settlements in Government securities (primary and secondary), foreign exchange, money markets and Rupee Interest Rate Derivatives on January 22, 2024 (Monday). Settlement of all outstanding transactions will accordingly get postponed to the next working day i.e., January 23, 2024 (Tuesday)”. In addition to the banks, public sector banks, insurance companies, financial institutions and regional and rural banks will remain half-day closed on January 22.
Public Holiday on January 22, 2024 under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881https://t.co/wDfR7ftTcF
— ReserveBankOfIndia (@RBI) January 19, 2024
The decision to grant public holiday came after employees nationwide had requested off to partake in the event in the ceremony as “various activities have been planned by organisations and groups of people across India and abroad to coincide with the ceremony”, said a government official, as quoted by media.
The Ram Mandir inauguration function will be organized on January 22 at 12:30 pm. In the presence of Narendra Modi and many other dignitaries, the consecration ceremony for the Ram temple will be held. Several public figures including actors and cricketers, have been invited for the event. Meanwhile, opposition leaders have announced that they will not be part of the event.
Congress has alleged that BJP has made a “political project” out of the temple in Ayodhya in attempt to gain vote in 2024 Lok Sabha election. Congress said that they do honour the sentiments of those who rever Lord Ram. Opposition leaders including Sharad Pawar and Arvind Kejriwal too has said that they would stay away from the ceremony. Ram Mandir has been taken to the center stage in the election campaign. For ‘halting’ the event, BJP has accused Congress of disrespecting ‘Indian culture’.
