INBOC Requests Public Holiday on Bhau Beej in Maharashtra

The Indian National Bank Officers’ Congress (INBOC), Maharashtra State, has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis requesting that Thursday, October 23, 2025, be declared a public holiday on the occasion of Bhau Beej under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. In Maharashtra, only 21 and 22 October has been declared as Holidays.

Why is Bhau Beej an important festival?

Bhau Beej is a very important festival celebrated in India. Bhaubeej, also known as Bhai Dooj or Yama Dwitiya, is a Hindu festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. It marks the last day of the five-day Diwali festivities and involves sisters performing a ritual to ensure their brother’s long life and prosperity, often including applying a tika and exchanging gifts. The festival’s origin is linked to the mythological story of Lord Krishna.

According to one legend, the festival originated when Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra after defeating the demon Narkasur, and she performed a ceremony for him. Another story connects the festival to Yama and his sister Yamuna, whose meeting on this day is celebrated as Yamadwitiya.

Bhaubeej symbolizes the divine bond between siblings and is celebrated with great enthusiasm. It is considered a sacred day for both brothers and sisters, with sisters praying for their brothers’ long life and happiness.

Sisters often fast in the morning and perform a ritual for their brothers. Sisters apply a sacred tika, often made of sandalwood paste, on their brother’s forehead and perform an aarti.

The festival is celebrated all across India and is considered a sacred festival.

Why Holiday is needed?

Diwali is the biggest festival in India. Employees all across Maharashtra will travel to their home towns to celebrate the festival. Bhau Beej is also an important festival observed after Diwali. If holiday is not provided then employees won’t be able to celebrate Bhau Beej with their family.

What INBOC said?

In the letter, INBOC stated that Bhau Beej is one of the most important festivals in Maharashtra, celebrated as the concluding day of Diwali. On this day, sisters invite their brothers home, perform aarti, apply tilak, and pray for their well-being, while brothers give gifts and promise to protect their sisters. The organisation said the festival promotes family bonding and strengthens social values.

INBOC highlighted that Bhau Beej holds great emotional and cultural importance and that many bank employees are unable to celebrate it properly because it is not a holiday. The group pointed out that although the Maharashtra Government’s notification for 2025 does not include Bhau Beej as a holiday, bank employees in the past used to get the day off.

General Secretary Avijit Pandey said that declaring the day a public holiday would help employees celebrate with their families, ensure parity with state government workers who already receive the holiday, and promote work-life balance and emotional well-being.

The organisation has expressed confidence that the Chief Minister would consider public sentiment and take a positive decision on the request.