Regarding the legality of disruptive agitations like "Bandh", "Hartal "etc at the behest of political parties on any public issue or against the policy of the Government, the Apex Court of India too has expressed divergent views.
In this juncture, when the employer suo motu declares" holiday "on the date of any such political agitation for obvious reasons, I think, it is not justifiable on his part to deduct any leave at the credit of the employees. Instead, those who are absent on that day could be treated as unauthorized absentees and effect wage-cut for that day.
If the holiday option is taken because of the practical problems like commutation, reprisal by political parties, advice by Government Administration, why not the entity function on another day with the consent of the employees?