Raman Sharma a Right to Information (RTI) activist in Jammu, wanted information under RTI from the Prime Minister’s Office inquiring “Is there any official order/notification issued by any ministry/department of the government declaring Sunday as holiday?”
The department of Personnel and Training, Government of India in its reply dated 18th July, 2012 signed by B Bandopadhyay, under secretary stated, “As per records available in JCA section of Department of Personnel & Training, there is no information regarding declaration of Sunday as holiday.”
However the reply gave reference of order no. 13/4/85-JCA dated 21st May, 1985 of Department of Personnel and Training which states that in order to improve the efficiency, “The Government of India are pleased to introduce 5-day week in the civil administration offices of the Government of India with effect from 03rd June, 1985. Such Government offices would now work for five days a week from Monday to Friday, with all Saturdays as closed.”
Even this order does not officially declare Sunday as holiday.
When did the Sunday was introduced as the weekly holiday
Britishers are the first who started Sunday from 1843 as a holiday in India. The concept of weekly holiday earlier, was differ from Nation to Nation, depending on the ” Sabbath ” day. The day when the people took rest from other duties and kept the whole Sabbath day for rest and Praying and worshiping.
As the Christianity considers Sunday as their Sabbath day ( seventh day Adventist ) this day is being observed by them as weekly holiday. Hence the Britishers imposed the concept of Sunday holiday, where ever they ruled ( their Colonies ) The practice is still continuing all over, including India.
Before, during the ruling of Moguls, Friday was the weekly holiday in India.
