Christians to petition CM for state holiday on Monti Fest, September 8

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 11, 2016: Christian institutions in coastal city and rest of Karnataka is not happy that a holiday for Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary feast, September 8, is not declared as promised. Leaders of the community are preparing to knock on CM Siddaramaiah’s door through a signature campaign.

 

The ’Monti Fest’ of the Konkani catholics, is considered the only harvest and family feast for 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 a 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 spokesperson of Mangalore Diocese.

About a lakh children and youth 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.