Friends,
Let us strictly confine the discussion to the situation in respect of industrial establishments in the country. Grant of National and Festival holidays are governed by the respective State Acts for this purpose. For instance, the Tamil Nadu Industrial Establishments (National &Festival Holidays) Act, 1958 allows 4 National Holidays(26th Jan, 1st May, 15th Aug and 2nd Oct), whereas under the Karnataka Industrial Establishments (National &Festival Holidays) Act, 1963, there are only 3 National Holidays (26th Jan, 15th Aug and 2nd Oct). Similar differences are apparent in other corresponding State laws, not only in respect of 'national holidays' but also festival holidays which are based on local customs.
Hence, to me the term 'National Holiday' itself appears to a misnomer, because unless it is so provided under the concerned State Act, it does not necessarily mean that all industrial establishments in the country have to observe a holiday, as in the case of May Day,
Pradeep Sukumar