There is no Fundamental Right to Public Holiday: Bombay High Court
Know the Case
This petition before the Hon'ble Bombay High Court challenged the notification dated October 2021 for not including 2nd August 2022 as a public holiday.
Why is 2nd August Important?
The Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli got independence from the Portuguese authorities on 2nd August 1954 and became part of India
Contentions of the Petitioner
2nd August was permitted to be a public holiday from 1954 to 2020 in Dadar and Nagar Haveli. However, it was discontinued on 29th July 2021.
Contentions of the Petitioner
If 15th August can be declared a public holiday to commemorated the Independence of India, 2nd August should also be declared a public holiday in Dadar and Nagar Haveli
Observations of the Court
To declare a particular day as public holiday or not is a matter of government policy. Nobody has a fundamental right to a public holiday.
Decision of the Hon'ble Bombay High Court
Perhaps the time has come to reduce, not increase, the number of public holidays. We do not see any substance in the petition. It is rejected.