Goa catholics petitioned ECI to change poll dates

They oppose since election date clashes with Maundy Thursday, a day of religious significance

Catholics and some political parties in Goa have opposed the Election Commission's decision to hold the elections to the Lok Sabha seats from the state April 17, which clashes with Maundy Thursday, a day of religious significance.

Political parties as well as activists have already petitioned the Election Commission of India (ECI) to change the poll date announced Wednesday.

"In my petition, I have said that Maundy Thursday is a holy day for the Christian community," lawyer-activist Aires Rodrigues told IANS. He said voters as well as government servants from the community deployed for election duty would find it tough to balance religious obligation and poll duty.

Banker Bruce Rodrigues said: "As a Catholic, Maundy Thursday holds significant importance in our lives as we come to the end of our Lenten season. And that's in the middle of Holy Week too. It is not a good decision."

Maundy Thursday is part of the Holy Week which follows the abstinence-marked period of Lent. The Holy Week signifies a spell of reflection and penance and includes Palm Sunday, which remembers Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, Maundy Thursday, which commemorates Jesus' last supper with his disciples; Good Friday, which honours the day of his crucifixion; and Holy Saturday, which focuses on the transition between the crucifixion and resurrection.

Congress spokesperson Durgadas Kamat claimed that minority voting percentage would dip if the ECI went ahead with polling in the state April 17.

"It won't be difficult to postpone Goa poll dates to after Good Friday. So that everyone can vote," Kamat said, adding that the party's Goa unit would petition the ECI to change the dates.

Christians account for nearly 30 percent of Goa's 15 lakh plus population.