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Why can't you vote on a holy day? SC tells on Maundy Thursday voting debate

  •   Thu, Apr 04 2019 03:16:02 PM

Daijiworld Media Network

New Delhi, Apr 4: “Why can’t you vote on a holy day?” questioned the Supreme Court on Thursday, April 4, as it refused to grant an urgent hearing to a plea by a Christian body against the polling in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on April 18 which is observed as ‘Maundy Thursday’.

Appearing for a Catholic Christian association from Tamil Nadu, the lawyer requested a bench headed by Justice SA Bobde to urgently hear the petition on postponing the polling date in view of the religious observance.

The lawyer claimed that it would be inconvenient for people to come to churches and make arrangements for the religious services on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. “We have to pray,” said the lawyer and urged the bench to call upon the Election Commission and change the date of polling in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

But the bench retorted. “Why can’t you vote on a holy day? Are you saying that you cannot cast your vote on a holy day?” said Justice Bobde and declined the prayer to list the matter for early hearing.

Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are slated to vote on April 18.

Various church bodies and Christian organisations have objected to the election date since it coincided with Maundy Thursday. It has been contended that this would not be conducive for people of the Christian community. It has also been pointed out that Christian teachers would not be able to attend service that day since they would be deployed on the election duty and that many of the polling stations are in schools inside church campuses.

Some bishops from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka had asked authorities to change the vote of polling.

Karnataka too will have first phase of polling on April 18.

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Comment on this article

  • Gabriel Lewis, Brahmavar

    Fri, Apr 05 2019

    That justice Bobde must be from Nagpur.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mohan Prabhu, Mangalore (Kankanady)/Ottawa, Canada

    Fri, Apr 05 2019

    Much ado about little things. Strict religious teaching does not permit the faithful even to work, but who cares? Holy days do not trump fundamental rights to practice faith; service does not have to be held only in a church; people can pray anywhere. At the rate Christians are campaigning, what about the other religions, such as Islam (Fridays), Jewish (Sabbath Saturday). It is gratifying to note that Hindus have no special days of obligation and they can go about their temporal duties any day, even on their special feast days. If the EC has to adjust its polling dates, then half a week is gone during election time. As to schools attached to churches, just cordon them off from the main church and have your service take place; it is not an "all day" service, just an hour or so. Churches should have protested long time ago not to use school or other premises attached to churches to be used for election polling purposes; they should have anticipated all this would happen. Election polling only inconvenience the "people of God" for once or twice in four or five years. Can/t put up with it?

    DisAgree [8] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Wilson, Mangalore

    Thu, Apr 04 2019

    The issue is not voting. Issue is schools (voting booth) within the church compound, since section 144 will be imposed.
    Not being able to attend church is secondary.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Thu, Apr 04 2019

    We can Sacrifice for One day instead of Suffering for Five Years ...

    DisAgree [11] Agree [99] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rational thinker, Mangalore

    Thu, Apr 04 2019

    Yes, very simple. Christians have absolutely no objection to vote on a holy day provided that schools attached to churches are not used as voting centres owing to the Maundy Thursday celebrations and also Christians are not forced to handle election duty on that day. We too are Indians and love our country and voting is our fundamental right and duty.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [93] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar, Mangaluru

    Thu, Apr 04 2019

    "Janani Janmaboomischa Swargaadapi Gariyasi"

    "Your mother and mother land is and should be held in high esteem than even heaven"....

    Matter close.

    DisAgree [98] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • Kiran, Mangalore/Bangalore

    Thu, Apr 04 2019

    Did such words of wisdom descend when supreme court gave a verdict on Sabarimala? Happy if you had supported the supreme court then.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [63] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rathan, Mangalore

    Thu, Apr 04 2019

    Kiran
    If it is not an uninimous decision of the Apex Court. If Apex court was firm on its decision why it has taken up a revision petition?

    DisAgree [3] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Edward C Maben, Kudla

    Thu, Apr 04 2019

    Dear Bhandarkar Sir, I wish a lot of us thought like you. If everyone thought like you, we would never fight in the name of religion.

    I dont have any issues for voting on that holy day, as long as it doesnt affect church going people on that day. However, I am also considering this an opportunity for us to pray for our great nation.

    A lot of us have become a insensitive lot, blaming each other and hurting each other. We forget that our deeds decide our place in heaven or hell.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [42] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar, Mangaluru

    Fri, Apr 05 2019

    Maben Sir...
    Thank you for your noble thoughts.
    I was never siding with any judgement.
    Somebody here had asked 'where should our nation stand for us'?
    This Sanskrit adage has stood the test of time and is good for all times despite all lour beliefs...
    Think for once..
    Would you ever be..without your Mother?
    And Your 'Mother Land'... that gives you everything and protects you ...later?
    This is no rocket science.
    They should be the First no matter what...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Chetan, Udupi

    Thu, Apr 04 2019

    The honorable court is absolutely right. We must stop cribbing for silly things when the larger good of the people is concerned.

    DisAgree [78] Agree [33] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jack, Mangalore

    Thu, Apr 04 2019

    Not to hurt anyone here but to explain or make it understand ....

    Dear Chetan what if the election was kept on previous day of Makar sankranti (Shabarimala feast).. Will it be feasible for anyone to go to vote provided next day is the feast. People have to walk for days to reach up the hill.

    so Likewise same here.... Just the issue with the rule saying no public must be gathered within metres of polling station cos most churches have schools

    DisAgree [12] Agree [87] Reply Report Abuse

  • Basil D'souza, mangaluru

    Thu, Apr 04 2019

    Where is a WILL there is a Way.........

    DisAgree [5] Agree [57] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jennifer, Mangalore

    Thu, Apr 04 2019

    There got to be some misunderstanding. The issue was that the school premises (in many cases are attached to churches), are made as voting centers. When voting activities are happening from 9 to 6, no other activity can take place there. Maundy Thursday service starts at 3 p.m. Only way out is, do not occupy the schools attached to churches for voting on Maundy Thursday. Matter closed. Can the govt ensure this ?

    This other thing is involving Christian people in election duty on Maundy Thursday. What if the election will be on Friday or Saturday of that week ? Would you guys still want it to be changed ? What if you seriously ill on that day and unable to attend both - your duty and church service ? I don't know - there has to be a solution.

    What is priority ? Your faith, duty or nation ?

    DisAgree [9] Agree [74] Reply Report Abuse

  • kp, udupi

    Thu, Apr 04 2019

    faith,duty and nation is equally important for all and it is up to the people to manage

    DisAgree [4] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse


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