Catholics have challenged in Supreme Court the decision of two federally ruled territories to cancel traditional Good Friday holiday, making it restricted holiday.

The administrations in the western Indian territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu have moved Good Friday from the list of public holidays to restricted holidays when staff have an option to take a day off or work.

Lay leader Anthony Francisco Duarte from Moti Daman in Daman, has filed a public interest writ petition in the Bombay High Court to challenge the notifications issued by the administration.

The petition is likely to come up for hearing on April 11, Indian bishops’ con-ference secretary general Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas said in a statement, seeking prayers.

Restricted holiday would mean all public institutions including schools and colleges have to necessarily remain open on April 19, this year’s Good Friday.

The Christian community these territories “are pained and anguished by the cancellation of a holiday on Good Friday which is held sacred by them,” the Bishop Mascarenhas said. In another case the Supreme Court on April 4 rejected a Christian organisation’s plea seeking rescheduling of the April 18 polling for the Lok Sabha in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. A SC Bench, comprising Justice S.A. Bobde, Justice S. Abdul Nazeer and Justice Indira Banerjee, declined the plea for an early hearing. The petitioner contended this year Maundy Thursday falls on April 18, the polling day, and it is a liturgical holy day leading to Good Friday and Easter for the Christian community.