Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madurai bench of the High Court further said that while the State had declared April 14, Ambedkar Jayanti, a public holiday as a mark of respect to citizens’ sentiments, Dr. Ambedkar himself would have wished for people to work more.
“Public servants are like school children. Grant of holidays and exemption from work are always welcome,” it said.
The comments were made while disposing of a petition filed by members of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Employees Union, seeking “double wages” for having had to work on April 14, 2018, a declared holiday.
Though the Court directed the project director to grant the claimed monetary benefits, it said,
“Dr Ambedkar was someone who would have wanted people to work hard instead of declaring a holiday on his anniversary. We followed a system of sentiments and symbolism and believing in courtesy instead of efficiency.”
The Court said that the country cared much for symbolism and sentiments.
“Courtesy rather than efficiency is our hallmark. Like Bharat Ratna Shri. APJ Abdul Kalam, he (Ambedkar) too would have said don’t declare holiday on my death, instead work an extra day, if you love me,” the Court said.
Source: Barandbench
