New Delhi: The Delhi University has issued a notification declaring June 29 (Thursday), an Eid-ul-Zuha holiday, a working day for all the employees of the university.It said that this was done with a view “to complete all arrangements prior to the Valedictory Function of Centenary Celebrations scheduled on June 30, 2023.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be chief guest for the event.The Democratic Teachers Front has called the move “extremely sectarian.”Abha Dev Habib, secretary, Democratic Teachers Front, said, “It is extremely sectarian because gazetted holidays include important days which are considered important events in the history of our nation, as well as festivals of various communities. In order to be inclusive, these festivals are included as gazetted holidays,” she said.“They can’t even name the festival Eid in their notice. They are saying those who don’t wish to come will be exempted but what does that mean? Do you have to give in writing that you are celebrating Eid?” she added.Univesity of Delhi issues a notification declaring 29th June 2023 a working day for all the employees of the University to complete all arrangements prior to the Valedictory Function of Centenary Celebrations scheduled on 30th June 2023. pic.twitter.com/EZtYg5Q8ly— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2023“I agree that the prime minister is coming the next day but unlike other Eids, the date for this one was fixed a month ago and the university knew that they would have this problem because June 29 is a gazetted holiday,” she said.She added that only those employees who are needed for the event on June 30 be asked to come on a gazetted holiday. They should also be compensated later, she added.Therefore, she said the notice is “unacceptable”.When asked to comment on the circular, Delhi University Teachers Association president A.K. Bhagi told The Wire that the notice does not include any compulsion.“As far as the notice is concerned, it states that it is optional. There is no compulsion anywhere,” said Bhagi.The Wire also reached out to Anoop Lather, public relations officer and registrar Vikas Gupta via phone and email. This story will be updated if and when they respond.With inputs from Sravasti Dasgupta.