The Nagaland government has acknowledged a lapse in administrative sensitivity after it issued a transfer and posting notification on April 13 Palm Sunday, one of the most sacred days on the Christian calendar.
The government’s response came after Lok Sabha MP and Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) President Supongmeren Jamir served a seven-day ultimatum, demanding a formal corrigendum to the order issued on a day of religious significance.
In an official reply to Jamir’s letters, dated April 24, 2025, and May 2, 2025, the state government acknowledged the concern over the timing of the notification. The April 13 order, issued on Palm Sunday, had drawn public criticism for what many saw as insensitivity to religious observance.
Responding to the criticism, the government conveyed “the regret of the Government of Nagaland for issuing the transfer & posting notification on 13.04.2025 i.e. on Palm Sunday.”
The government clarified that while “administrative exigencies often compel government servants, particularly those working in the Chief Minister’s Office, Chief Secretary’s Office, Home Commissioner’s office, P&AR etc., to work on non-working days including Sundays,” the issuance of the order on that particular date “was issued without any malafide intent.”
“This was inadvertent and unintentional and is sincerely regretted,” the government stated, adding that “due care shall be taken to ensure that such actions are avoided in future.”
Despite the expression of regret, the state government has not yet issued the corrigendum sought by the NPCC.
Following the government’s response, the NPCC acknowledged the apology but maintained a firm stance. “The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) acknowledges the response received from the State Government, where it has expressed regret over issuing the transfer and posting notification on 13th April 2025, which was Palm Sunday—a holy day observed by Christians around the world.”
“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,” it said.
The party also announced that it would not proceed with its planned agitation in light of the development but cautioned the government against future insensitivity. “We have resolved to call off our proposed agitation; however, we do so with an appeal to the Government to be more careful in the future and ensure that no official notifications or administrative actions are issued on days of religious importance, including Sundays,” the NPCC stated.
“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,” it added.
In a sharper political note, the party warned that the incident could not be viewed in isolation. “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 NPCC alleged. “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.”
The NPCC concluded by reaffirming its commitment to public accountability. “The NPCC will continue to hold the Government to account, and ensure that such ‘mistakes’ are not repeated.”