‘Not conducive for Christians’: Tamil Nadu Bishops Council seeks a change in polling dates due to Maundy Thursday

Christian cross

The Tamil Nadu Bishops Council, in a letter to the Election Commission, has demanded that the polling dates in the state and Puducherry be changed as it coincides with Maundy Thursday. They said ‘it would not be conducive for the people of the Christian community.’

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In the letter, Rev. Dr Antony Pappusamy, president of the organization, said, “If polling is on Thursday, 18th April, there are two important disturbances for the Christian people — [Firstly,] Christian teachers cannot attend religious services on that day.

Secondly, since many of the polling stations are in schools and most of these schools are located on church campuses, it would be inconvenient for people to come to church and make arrangements for the religious services.”

Earlier, the election dates had triggered concerns from political parties since dates coincided with Ramzan, the Muslim festival. The AAP and TMC had insinuated a BJP conspiracy behind it. They had claimed that fasting Muslims were less likely to cast their votes. However, Muslim leader Asaduddin Owaisi had countered their claims and said that such a controversy was unnecessary.

OpIndia Staff: Staff reporter at OpIndia