"Legal Challenge and Holiday Declarations: Jan 22 Ram Mandir Events Impact Public Services"

Four law students in Mumbai have filed a petition challenging the public holiday declared by the Maharashtra government on January 22 for the consecration of the Ram temple at Ayodhya, citing violation of secular principles laid down in the Indian Constitution. They sought an urgent hearing, and the high court has set up a special bench to hear their plea on Sunday. The students argue that the government's declaration of a public holiday for the temple consecration is an act of identifying with a particular religion and could impact education, finance, and governance.