The Kerala government and public sector employees can look forward to two consecutive days of holiday in the middle of next week, as the state administration on Sunday declared May 28 also as a holiday for Bakrid, in addition to May 27.
Official Notification
In a notification, the General Administration Department stated that May 27 had already been declared a holiday for Bakrid, the ‘festival of sacrifice’. The notification read, "Since 'Id-Ul-Ad'ha' (Bakrid) is being celebrated in the state on May 28, the government is pleased to order that Thursday, May 28, 2026, will also be a holiday..."
It further clarified that Thursday will be a holiday for all government offices in the state, including all public sector undertakings, educational institutions (including professional colleges), and institutions covered under the Negotiable Instruments Act 1881.
Previous Controversy
Last year, a political row erupted in the state after the government decided to change the Bakrid holiday. Originally, June 6, 2025, was marked as a holiday for Bakrid. However, following reports that the festival would be celebrated across the state on June 7, 2025, the Kerala government changed the date of the public holiday to June 7 and declared the original date as a regular working day.
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and several other Muslim organizations criticized the government's move to alter the holiday, accusing it of attempting to implement a "communal agenda and fascism" in the state. Subsequently, the government declared June 6 also a holiday.
This year, the government has avoided such controversy by aligning the holiday with the actual celebration date.
