New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered Jesus Christ on Good Friday today, saying his life was devoted to mitigating human suffering.

“Today, on Good Friday, we remember the service & sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His was a life devoted to mitigating human suffering,” the premier tweeted.

Good Friday is a solemn day commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. For Christians, it is the most sorrowful, somber and sacred day of the year. It is also referred as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Black Friday, or Easter Friday.

It tell on April 14 this year and came two days before Easter, which marks the end of lent, a period 40 to 50 days of prayers and fast.

Good Friday is one of the most important days in the religious calendar for Christians, and a public holiday in India.

However, the federal government this year decided to observe Good Friday as “’Digital India Day.”

In 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had declared that December 25, Christmas Day, would be observed as Good Governance Day. There was much objection expressed about it but it came to naught.

However some northeastern states have refused to join Digital India activities on Good Friday.

The Nagaland government, of which the Bharatiya Janata Party is a part, kept away from activities related to promotion of Digital India program. The Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance government led by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma refused to conduct any program. The opposition Hill State People’s Democratic Party and National People’s Party too opposed the federal government’s move.

“Is it that they selectively identify these dates to marginalize the minorities with a complete disregard to the constitutional obligation of ensuring personal liberty?” the Congress leader asked.

Lok Sabha member Conrad K Sangma of the National People’s Party (NPP), a BJP ally, has written to the prime minister to urge him to defer the Digital India Day program. Nagaland Chief Secretary Pankaj Kumar said the state government would not join any activity relating to promotion of digital payment on Good Friday.

Kerala and Goa, where Christians are a large and influential minority have not raised objections. Kerala faced a dilemma as Good Friday fell on Vishu, a major festival for Hindus of the state.