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Appeal for Declaring 21 October 2025 as a Bank Holiday in Uttar Pradesh
The Bank of India Officer’s Organisation (BOIOO), affiliated with the National Organisation of Bank Officers (NOBO) and Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), has made a formal request to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, to declare 21 October 2025, the day following Diwali, as a public holiday for all banks in the state.
Author: Meera
Published: 7 hours ago
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The letter, dated 16 October 2025, was jointly signed by Saurabh Yadav, State President, and Ankit Awasthi, State General Secretary of BOIOO (Uttar Pradesh unit). It highlights the cultural and social importance of the Diwali festival, particularly the day after Diwali, which holds deep traditional and spiritual significance for millions of people.
Image - BOIOO’s letter to declare 21 October, the day following Diwali as a public holiday
Cultural and Religious Context
The organisation points out that in Uttar Pradesh, 20 October 2025 will be celebrated as Deepawali, the Festival of Lights, marked by widespread devotion, lighting of lamps, and religious rituals. The following day, 21 October 2025 (Govardhan Puja), is equally sacred as it commemorates the worship of Lord Krishna and is traditionally observed with rituals, family gatherings, and offerings of gratitude.
The letter explains that during this period, people engage in Govardhan Puja and Annakoot celebrations, which symbolise prosperity, community harmony, and thanksgiving to nature. These customs, the letter notes, are deeply embedded in the socio-religious life of the people of Uttar Pradesh.
Current Concern
The bank officers’ union observes that despite the strong cultural significance of this day, banks are not officially granted a holiday on the day following Diwali. Employees often find it difficult to participate in family and community rituals, as well as manage post-Diwali festivities. The organisation argues that continuing to keep banks open on this day causes inconvenience to employees and is inconsistent with the spirit of cultural observance promoted by the state government.
Request to the Government
The BOIOO has therefore appealed to the Uttar Pradesh government to declare 21 October 2025 as a public holiday for all banks across the state. They emphasise that such a decision would not only allow bank staff to participate in traditional and religious activities with their families but also promote social harmony and uphold India’s cultural ethos.
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The letter concludes with a respectful request, expressing confidence that the state government will give due consideration to the sentiment of thousands of bank employees and make a decision that reflects the values of tradition, community, and employee welfare.
Cultural Holiday Appeal
In essence, this communication from the Bank of India Officer’s Organisation is a formal, respectful appeal grounded in cultural, emotional, and humanitarian reasoning. It aims to ensure that bank employees in Uttar Pradesh are given the same opportunity as other citizens to celebrate an important religious occasion with their families. The organisation believes that granting a holiday on 21 October 2025 will reinforce the government’s commitment to preserving India’s cultural traditions and promoting work-life balance for public sector employees.
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