Imlisanen Jamir
Many of us are probably familiar with waking up on a Sunday morning to an empty fridge and not being able to buy food because all the grocery stores are closed; or being stuck for the weekend at home with no place to go for a bit of down time.
While Sunday shop closures in Nagaland have been a familiar sight since forever, the norm has become more rigidly visible in recent times especially in Dimapur, a cosmopolitan hotspot that had been slightly less affected by it.
Voices for and against (the former being louder) the unwritten Sunday closure ‘law’ are however being based on the wrong arguments.
It is pertinent to discuss the arguments both for and against this ‘law’ by putting it over the backdrop of a society adjusting, sometimes reluctantly, to its own evolution from an inherently conservative and Christian society to something more complex.
The civil, political and state groups, including powerful voices in politics here that direct and enforce the closure do so from a mostly religious standpoint of the Sabbath, and on the argument that Nagaland is a ‘Christian State.’ And perhaps there is some credence to the, given that a stark majority of people here do profess the faith and hold the Sabbath dear—an emotion that is to be accommodated and respected.
Meanwhile, arguments against the ‘law’ come from an economic and consumer stance. Businesses deliver corporate views which while admittedly have profit ends, also reflect economic realities. At the same time, they also point out that this day comprises half of the weekend—the only time when many people get the free time to go out.
While both sides have compelling arguments, the labour one is being ignored. There would be no issue with a weekly day of closure for private business establishments if it was made based on the right of labour to rest.
A family visit to an uncle or a grandmother, the attendance of a parent at a child's sports tournament, a picnic, a swim or a hike in the park on a summer day, or a family expedition to a zoo, circus or exhibition - these, and hundreds of other leisure activities with family and friends are the most profound joys that any of us can know. And those that work the private service industries and corporate chains also deserve it.
But as long as the contest remains between the corporate drive for profits and narrow minded religious zeal, the retail clerk’s right to an off day is ignored.
Comments can be sent to imlisanenjamir@gmail.com
