New Delhi: The apex body of the Catholic Church in India, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), which has over 20 million members, has written to the Election Commission of India over the clashing of Holy Thursday with poll date of 18 April fixed for the states of Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
For Christians, April 18 also happens to be Holy Thursday (also known as Maundy Thursday) and marks the beginning of the Holy Week. The last three days of Holy Week are referred to as Sacred Triduum, the three-day-part enactment of Christ’s redemption: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.
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In a written communication to Sunil Arora, Chief Election Commissioner, Most Rev. Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas SFX, secretary general, CBCI has raised two pertinent issues with the polling date in these respective states. “At the outset, I wish to point out that we are not writing to you on the grounds of religious sentiments but rather in view of the difficulties of logistics as well as hardships that may be faced in view of forthcoming elections. We understand that April 18, (Maundy Thursday) is not a public holiday but most Christians either take leave from work or come back early to participate in the Sacred Worship. Christians would like to render our full services to the Election Commission and the Country in this important event. However, the election date is clashing with the religious services of Maundy Thursday and Christians may find it difficult to fulfill both the calls for worship and for electoral duties specially those called to be poll officers or are placed on other active polling duties. They will still perform their sacred duty towards the Country but the Election commission could make it easier for them to participate in the process by shifting the voting to another nearer date.”
Elaborating further, the Bishop Mascarenhas, stated, “Historically, we have seen, that a large number of booths are placed in the vicinity of our places of worship and in schools run by the Church which are very close very often less than 100 meters from our places of worship. Given the exigencies of the Mode of Conduct of elections as well, as special security needs for polling, your office also may find it difficult to conduct the elections as I am sure you would not like to deprive millions of Christians the opportunity to worship in their stipulated and consecrated places worship during days which they consider most holy.”
The prelate urged the commissioner to reconsider either advancing or postponing the election date of April 18, 2019. “I am aware that a change in the announced date may cause inconvenience to you, your office and to your collaborators. But our apprehensions are that, not changing the date may create avoidable but much bigger difficulties for all in the conduct of the Polls.”
Christians celebrate Easter with three intensive days of prayers: Thursday before Easter which commemorates the Last Supper Jesus had with his disciples after which he was arrested, Good Friday which observes the day of the Crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ and Easter Sunday which celebrates his Resurrection. While Good Friday is a public holiday and Easter is on Sunday and the Election Commission has rightly and respectfully kept no voting on that day, the day preceding it is also a day on which almost all Christians come to Church to pray.
“We assure you our full cooperation of participating and encouraging polling in great numbers and pledge to give every assistance in the conduct of a free and peaceful polls. We pray to God that He may be bless you and all those who work with you in conducting the elections so vital for our democracy,” Bishop Mascarenhas added.