The Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council has sought change in the poll date for the southern Indian state. The state’s 39 parliamentary and 18 assembly seats will go to poll on April 18, which coincides with Maundy Thursday, an important observance for Christians across denominations.

On March 11, Abp. Antony Pappusamy of Madurai and president of the council, requested the Election Commission of India (ECI) to change the polling date. The letter stated that polling date on Maundy Thursday would not be conducive for the Christians as it was in the middle of the Holy Week observance (April 14 to 21).

The archbishop said that Christians working as government school teachers and officials engaged in election duty will not be able to attend Mass on Maunday Thursday when Christians observe the commemoration of the final meal – Last Supper – that He had with His disciples a day before His crucifixion and death on the cross. The council cited another concern that many schools run by dioceses are located inside the campus of churches and many across the state are polling stations.