PATNA: Women teachers in Bihar have urged the education department to change the date of the Jitiya holiday. According to the education department's calendar, the Jitiya holiday is scheduled for October 5th this year, while the festival itself will be celebrated on October 3rd. The female teachers argue that the holiday should be granted on the day of the festival to avoid the inconvenience of school duty during their fast.

Jitiya is a significant festival for women, who observe a waterless fast for the long life, good health, and prosperity of their children. Teachers state that there is no logical reason to grant the holiday on October 5th when the festival falls on October 3rd. Performing school duties on the day of the fast could be challenging for them.

The women teachers have appealed to Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari to intervene immediately and amend the holiday calendar. They believe that a timely change in the date would prevent confusion among teachers and school administration. A large number of female teachers observe the waterless fast, and if schools remain open and duty is mandatory on that day, they would face difficulties balancing their religious observance with departmental responsibilities. The teachers have explicitly demanded that the Jitiya holiday be shifted from October 5th to October 3rd. All eyes are now on the education department and the Education Minister to see what decision will be made regarding this demand.