Mangaluru (The Hindu): Unhappy over non-Christian educational institutions in coastal city and rest of Karnataka not declaring holiday for Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary feast, religious leaders here are preparing to knock chief minister Siddaramaiah's door through a signature campaign.
The 'Monti Fest' in Konkani, is considered the only family feast among Christians living in coastal belt and is celebrated with fervour from several centuries. It falls on September 8 every year.
"While Christian educational institutions in the port city and rest of India declare this as holiday, non-Christian education institutions are reluctant to do the same. So we have started a signature campaign across all parishes under Mangalore Diocese to urge the state government to declare it as a state holiday," said Fr Ronald Prakash D'Souza, director of ICYM Mangalore Diocese.
Fr Ronald added that about one lakh children and youths hail from undivided Dakshina Kannada district and if education institutions do not declare holiday on that auspicious day, the meaning of family feast will be lost. Others were miffed that some non-Christian education institutions have "intentionally" scheduled exams on September 8.
Fr Ronald said, after collecting signature from all parishioners, it will be submitted as memorandum to Deputy Commissioner of respective districts. But a similar signature campaign held last year did not make much headway. "Christians had collected signatures last year, said Walter H D'Mello, DDPI.
