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September 29, 2023, Aizawl: Mizoram’s leading non-governmental organization, the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA), has raised concerns and expressed strong opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming cleanliness drive initiative, slated for Sunday, October 1, 2023. While the CYMA respects and supports the Prime Minister’s objective of dedicating an hour to a cleanliness drive under the banner ‘Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Sath,’ they have voiced reservations regarding the chosen date. This article delves into the details of the CYMA’s objections, their appeals to the Mizoram government, and the related developments in Nagaland.
CYMA’s Opposition
In a significant move, the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) has registered its opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forthcoming cleanliness drive initiative, scheduled for Sunday, October 1, 2023. The CYMA is Mizoram’s foremost non-governmental organization, renowned for its dedication to various social causes.
While CYMA acknowledges and respects the Prime Minister’s efforts to promote cleanliness and hygiene across the nation, they have expressed their reservations about the selected date for this initiative. CYMA emphasizes that Sunday, October 1, 2023, holds special significance for the Christian community in Mizoram. On this day, Christians gather for church services and engage in worship, observing their holy day.
The CYMA’s primary concern centers around the perception that scheduling a cleanliness drive on this sacred day is a gesture of disrespect towards the religious practices and sentiments of the Christian community in the state. They argue that such agendas should not be scheduled on a Sunday, emphasizing that India, as a democratic nation, upholds the principle of freedom of religion.
In an official statement, CYMA officials declared, “We believe that setting this initiative on a Sunday is a sign of disrespect towards our holy day, and we are against scheduling such agendas in a democratic country like India, where there is freedom of religion.”
CYMA’s Appeal to the Mizoram Government
In light of their strong opposition, the CYMA has appealed to the Mizoram government to reconsider the chosen date for the cleanliness drive. They urge authorities to reschedule the event to a day that does not conflict with the religious practices and observances of the Christian community in the state.
This appeal reflects the CYMA’s commitment to promoting the peaceful coexistence of diverse religious and cultural practices in Mizoram, emphasizing the need for mutual respect and accommodation.
Nagaland’s Response
In a related development, the neighboring state of Nagaland has also expressed reservations regarding the cleanliness drive being conducted on a Sunday. Following objections from various organizations and church bodies in Nagaland, the state government took swift action to address the concerns raised by the community.
In response to the objections and with the intent of accommodating the sentiments of its Christian population, Nagaland has decided to change the date of the mega cleanliness drive. Instead of conducting the initiative on Sunday, October 1, 2023, the Nagaland government has rescheduled it to Saturday, September 30, 2023. The cleanliness drive will commence at 10 a.m., reflecting the government’s responsiveness to the concerns of the Christian community.
This decision was officially confirmed through a government order issued by Abhijit Sinha, Principal Secretary, Home.
Conclusion
The objections raised by the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) regarding Prime Minister Modi’s cleanliness drive initiative on Sunday, October 1, 2023, have underscored the importance of respecting religious observances and sentiments in a diverse and pluralistic society. While CYMA recognizes the significance of cleanliness and hygiene, they have voiced their concerns about the selected date conflicting with the Christian holy day.
The appeal to the Mizoram government and the subsequent actions taken by the Nagaland government highlight the value placed on accommodating religious practices and promoting harmony among communities. As the nation strives for cleanliness and progress, it remains essential to uphold the principles of freedom of religion and mutual respect for cultural diversity.
