Christians demand exemption from poll duty on April 18

Christians demand exemption from poll duty on April 18

Udupi: The government employees of Christian faith have urged the Chief Election Commissioner to exempt them from election duties on April 18.

Speaking at a press meet held at the press club on April 4, president of the Christian Social Welfare Association Harry D’Souza said that a memorandum had been submitted by the Association to the State Chief Election Commissioner Sanjiv Kumar with the request. The officer has ordered the district returning officers to consider the plea by the Christian community. In most of the districts, appropriate measures conducive to Christian community request have been taken.

Harry further said, “It is sad to note that the political parties have neglected the Christians as they have not given any tickets to Christian Candidates, which we strongly condemn. There are 35 lakh people belonging to the Christian community. The political parties, however, have neglected the candidates from the community by denying them tickets in Mangaluru, Bengaluru, Karwar and Bidar. The Congress, BJP and the JD(S) have ignored our community. No Christian Board has been set up by the coalition government in the state as they have promised,” he alleged.

He also urged the government to appoint people from the Christian community to the Rajya Sabha, Legislative Council and different boards.

Maxim D’Souza secretary of Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh, Mary D’Souza and Valerian Fernandes were also present.