New Delhi – Today, July 17, banks in various regions of India will remain closed in observance of Muharram/Ashoora/U Tirot Sing Day, as per guidelines from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This closure is part of a series of bank holidays in July, totaling 12 days.
Regional Bank Closures
According to RBI guidelines, banks will be closed in the following cities: Agartala, Aizawl, Belapur, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jammu, Kanpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Patna, Raipur, Ranchi, Shillong, Shimla, and Srinagar. These closures are in observance of Muharram, Ashoora, and U Tirot Sing Day.
Significance of Muharram
Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, consists of 12 months and 354 days. The 10th day of Muharram, known as Ashura, commemorates the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Husain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. During Muharram, Muslims abstain from warfare and engage in prayer and reflection.
U Tirot Sing Day in Meghalaya
U Tirot Sing Day is a regional holiday in Meghalaya, honoring the Khasi chief Tirot Sing, who valiantly resisted British colonization in the 19th century. Known for his bravery, Tirot Sing declared war against British attempts to control the Khasi Hills. On July 17, Meghalaya celebrates his legacy with cultural events and processions.
Previous and Upcoming Bank Holidays
Banks were previously closed on July 16 for Harela, a festival in Uttarakhand that marks the onset of the monsoon and the beginning of the agricultural season. The next bank holiday is scheduled for July 20, in observance of Kharchi Puja in Tripura. Additionally, banks will be closed on the remaining Sundays of the month (July 21 and 28) and on the fourth Saturday (July 27).
In total, July has 12 bank holidays, including weekends. The RBI designates these holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act, affecting the issuance of cheques and promissory notes. However, online banking services will remain available to customers during these holidays.