No force for observing December 25 as good governance day: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said no force will be applied for observing good governance day on December 25. Wishing all "Merry Christmas" and Happy New Year, he said people are free to celebrate December 25 in "whatever manner they like".

December 25, birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Madan Mohan Malaviya, is being observed as good governance day by the NDA government.

"National function of good governance day is being observed on December 25 and all central ministers will participate in public functions in their respective states and MPs will go to their constituencies," Naidu said.

He said, "Departments will conduct the functions. There is no force (on anyone). People are free to celebrate in whatever manner they like."

Dismissing the controversy over the event as a "non-issue", he said, "Unfortunately some people have created issue out of a non-issue forgetting the fact such circulars were issued in the past when they were in power."