Christians in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh have appealed to the provincial government to reschedule a selection exam for postings in the revenue department to be held on Easter Day. The Chhattisgarh Professional Examination Board (CPEB) had earlier decided to hold the examination for the selection of Patwaris – officials entrusted with maintaining land records in villages – on April 10.
The date was subsequently changed as April 10 happened to be Ram Navami, a Hindu spring festival that celebrates the birthday of Lord Ram. The new date announced was April 17, which happened to be Easter Sunday. “We are deeply concerned and pained by the decision of the CPEB to hold the examination on Easter Day,” said Guruvinder Singh Chadda, president of the Akhil Bharati Isai Samudaya Adhikar Sangathan, an organization working for the welfare of Christians in the state.