Mangalore: EC, DC urged to allow observance of Maundy Thursday on poll day

Media Release

Mangalore, Mar 7: On behalf of bishop of Mangalore diocese Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, a delegation consisting of Fr William Menezes, Fr J B Crasta and convener of Mangalore diocese political awareness committee M P Noronha on Friday March 7 met deputy commissioner (DC) A B Ibrahim and submitted memorandum urging that the Christian community be allowed to observe Maundy Thursday on April 17, which is the polling day for Lok Sabha elections in the state.

The memorandum, addressed to the chief election commissioner (CEC) as well as to the deputy commissioner, stated that the poll date for elections in Karnataka falls on Maundy Thursday, which is sacred to the Christian community, as Christians around the world attend the church service/Mass held in the evening after 3 pm on that day.

"Maundy Thursday which means Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday and Thursday of Mysteries, commemorates the Maundy and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles. The Liturgy (prayer service) held on the evening of Maundy Thursday initiates the Easter Triduum, the period which commemorates the passion, death and resurrection of Christi. This period includes Good Friday, Holy Saturday and ends on Easter Sunday.  The mass or service of worship is normally celebrated in DK district and other parts of the state in the evening beginning from 3 pm. Christian faithful are required to attend the mass and they have got religious obligation to attend such mass or service of worship.

"In Karnataka especially in DK district, the number of polling centers are in the schools which are in precincts of the church. Consequently those who are attending the mass or service of worship in the church should not be put to inconvenience and hence suitable arrangements are required to be made by the  election commission and the district administration to prevent any inconvenience to the persons who are attending the mass or service of worship," the release stated.
 
"Since celebration of Maundy Thursday is an integral part of Christian faith, we kindly request your goodselves, not to depute any Christian teachers or government employees to the election duty since they will be deprived of attending the masses or service of worship to be held on Maundy Thursday.  If they are posted for election duty even their fundamental right to practice the religion will be violated and the right guaranteed under Article 25 to 28 of the Indian Constitution will  be violated," the bishop stated in the release.
 
"Considering all these facts we are only requesting your goodselves not to depute any Christian teachers and government employees to the election duty and also make suitable arrangement on the election day to prevent any inconvenience to the Christian faithful while attending the church located near the polling booths," the bishop urged.

After perusing the memorandum and discussing the matter, the deputy commissioner said that he would inform the matter to the chief election commissioner and also assured that he would do his best to protect the interest of the Christians.