Bangladesh: Christian Leaders Demand Public Holiday for Easter Sunday

The Bangladesh Christian Association organized a human chain and rally in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on March 31, calling for a government holiday on Easter Sunday.

The rally was presided over by the Association’s president, Nirmal Rozario. Among those present were Secretary General Hemanta I. Corraya; Vice President and freedom fighter Jonas Gomes; Joint Secretary General James Subrata Hazra; Organizational Secretary Nipun Sangma; International Affairs Secretary Theophil Rozario; Assistant Organizational Secretary Thomas Rozario; Executive Member Victor Re; and prominent Indigenous leader Advocate Provat Tudu.

Fr. Albert T. Rozario represented the Archdiocese of Dhaka.

Speakers reiterated the long-standing demand of the Christian community in Bangladesh for the declaration of Easter Sunday as a public holiday. They urged the government to issue an executive order declaring April 5 a public holiday this year and to include Easter Sunday in the official list of government holidays from next year onward.

On March 30, 2026, a formal petition was submitted to the Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, requesting the declaration of Easter Sunday as a public holiday.

Christians in Bangladesh are a small minority, estimated at between 488,000 and 950,000 people, accounting for less than 0.5 percent of the country’s population. Despite their size, Christianity is recognized as the fourth-largest religion in the country.

The Christian community includes both Bengali believers and members of various Indigenous ethnic groups, reflecting a rich cultural and social diversity.