Mumbai: Election duty staff upset with poll training on Good Friday

A day after the Bombay High Court decided that Good Friday will be a national holiday, a section of teachers belonging to Christian community are upset at being marked for training for election duty on Good Friday.

The HC on Monday had allowed a petition challenging a notification issued by Collector of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Diu Daman, making 'Good Friday' an optional holiday instead of a compulsory one, for government employees. Good Friday will be observed on April 19.

"Many teachers were marked for training for elections on Good Friday. Some of them approached and got it changed to Thursday. Others who are marked for Friday training will be approaching the officials for the same. It is surprising that after HC order, officials are calling teachers for duty on Good Friday," said Fr. George Athaide, secretary, Archdiocesan Board of Education.

Christians of all denominations observe Good Friday. Most of the day is spent fasting and seeking penance, many to the church in the morning and evening.

"Even though they have allowed us to go for training on Thursday, there is apprehension that we may be called on Friday," said a Catholic teacher from a school in Malad.

"They could have simply chosen any other day for this. They need not have put some teachers on duty for that day," said Abraham Mathai.

WORK & WORSHIP

• Many teachers are unhappy that they have been called to undergo poll duty training on Good Friday despite HC order
   
• HC on Monday had allowed a petition challenging a notification issued by Collector of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Diu Daman, making 'Good Friday' an optional holiday instead of a compulsory one