The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) on Saturday acknowledged the state government’s response to its objection on issuing official order on April 13, which was Palm Sunday—a holy day observed by Christians around the world.

The NPCC in a statement, said it acknowledges the state government expressing regret over issuing a transfer and posting notification on said day.

“While the government claims that the action was not intentional, the NPCC takes this opportunity to remind the authorities that such lapses show a serious lack of awareness and sensitivity towards the religious and cultural sentiments of the people of Nagaland,” the statement said.

Subsequently, the state Congress announced its resolve to call off its proposed agitation, however, it reminded the government to be more careful in future and ensure that no official notifications or administrative actions are issued on days of religious importance, including Sundays. It observed that any exercise that could potentially infringe on the religious beliefs and cultural practices of the people should be undertaken with a nuanced approach, and any deviation—even if expressly stated to be unintentional—is unacceptable.

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“This incident is a page out of the BJP’s playbook, the one championing the dismantlement of the secular fabric of our Constitution by a thousand paper cuts. The people of Nagaland should be vigilant and ensure that the government of the day in the state doesn’t end up becoming a vassal of this divisive modus operandi,” NPCC stated.

The party further maintained that it will continue to hold the government to account, and ensure that such “mistakes” are not repeated.

It may be mentioned that the state PCC had earlier served a seven-day ultimatum to the state government on May 3 to issue a corrigendum of the notification in question and review or withdraw it.