PC: (Pinterest, zee News)
Sunday is more than just another day of the week. It is a day of rest, a day to spend time with family, and a much-needed break from work. In India, Sunday is often treated like a small weekly festival-a pause after six continuous days of effort. But this weekly holiday was not always guaranteed.
The Roots of a Labour Revolution
The story of how Sunday became an official holiday in India is rooted in a long and determined labour movement, and it marks an important milestone in workers’ rights.
Harsh Realities Under Colonial Rule
The weekly Sunday holiday in India officially began on June 10, 1890, during British colonial rule. At that time, industrial workers across the country were forced to work all seven days of the week without any guaranteed break. Factory workers, especially those employed in textile mills in Bombay (now Mumbai), faced extremely harsh working conditions. They were made to work long hours with little or no rest, and the absence of weekly holidays took a serious toll on their physical and mental well-being.
The Rise of a Pioneering Leader
Amid these difficult conditions, a leader emerged who would change the future of labour rights in India -Narayan Meghaji Lokhande. Deeply moved by the suffering of workers, Lokhande began advocating for their right to a weekly day of rest.
A Relentless Seven-Year Campaign
Between 1881 and 1884, he organised protests, submitted formal memorandums to the British administration, and mobilised nearly 10,000 workers in support of the demand. His efforts were not brief or symbolic-the movement continued for nearly seven years, gaining momentum and putting sustained pressure on the colonial government.
A Historic Victory for Workers
Eventually, the British authorities were forced to respond. On June 10, 1890, Sunday was officially declared a weekly holiday for workers in India. This decision marked a historic victory for the labour movement and gave workers something they had long been denied the right to rest. It was a turning point that improved working conditions and acknowledged the basic human need for recovery and personal time.
Why Sunday? A Blend of Faith and Advocacy
The choice of Sunday as the weekly holiday was influenced by both religious and practical considerations. British officials, who governed India at the time, were Christians, and Sunday held special religious significance for them. It was traditionally observed as a day of prayer and church attendance. Granting Sunday as a holiday aligned with their own cultural and administrative practices. At the same time, Lokhande presented a strong cultural argument rooted in Indian traditions. He pointed out that Sunday also holds religious importance in Hinduism. It is associated with Lord Khandoba in certain traditions and is widely regarded as a day dedicated to the Sun God. Lokhande argued that just as British officials were entitled to observe their religious customs, Indian workers too deserved one day a week to rest, practise their beliefs, and spend time within their communities.
Global Origins of the Sunday Tradition
However, the concept of Sunday as a weekly day of rest did not originate in India. Its roots go back much further in history. In 321 AD, Constantine the Great, the Roman Emperor, officially declared Sunday a day of rest across the Roman Empire. Over time, this practice spread across Europe and eventually became embedded in British administrative systems. When the British established colonial rule in India, they carried this tradition with them, which later influenced the formal recognition of Sunday as a weekly holiday.
A Legacy of Struggle and Dignity
Today, Sunday is often taken for granted as a universal day off. But its existence in India is the result of years of struggle, collective action, and determined leadership. What is now seen as a routine weekly break was once a hard-won right-a reminder of the power of workers’ voices and the importance of standing up for dignity, balance, and humane working conditions.