The Manipur Meitei Pangal Welfare Organisation (MMWO) has urged the authorities of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, to declare Eid-ul-Adha (Bakra Eid), scheduled to be observed on Saturday, June 7, 2025, as an official holiday.
The MMWO expressed deep concern and dissatisfaction over the non-inclusion of Eid-ul-Adha as a holiday in RIMS’ official holiday list, especially considering RIMS is the largest and most prestigious medical institution in Manipur.
In a statement signed by Firoj Khan Sangomsumbam, General Secretary of MMWO, the organization highlighted that the official circular issued by the Deputy Director (Administration) of RIMS on December 19, 2024, included a list of General and Restricted Holidays for 2025—but Eid-ul-Adha was not recognized. The MMWO called this omission “unfortunate and disappointing,” noting that Eid-ul-Adha is one of the most significant religious festivals for Muslims globally, including the Meitei Pangal community of Manipur.
“MMWO strongly questions the reasoning behind the exclusion of such an important religious festival,” the statement said. “This decision appears to be discriminatory and insensitive to the religious sentiments and cultural identity of the Meitei Pangal community. It fails to reflect the inclusive and secular values that institutions of national importance like RIMS are expected to uphold.”
The organization demanded that RIMS immediately declare June 7 as a holiday, allowing Muslim employees, students, and staff to observe the sacred festival with dignity, peace, and spiritual fulfillment.
The MMWO further warned that failure to address this oversight would be viewed as an act of religious exclusion, and that the organization would be compelled to raise the issue with higher authorities at both the state and national levels.