The government on Monday declared April 14, the birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar as a holiday "throughout India."

"The Central Government hereby declares Monday, the 14th of April 2008, as a holiday throughout India on the account of the birthday of Dr B R Ambedkar," an official release said.

The release said that the government had declared the holiday exercising the powers conferred by Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act of 1881.