The Bishnoi community has thanked the Election Commission for deferring the Haryana Assembly poll date to October 5 from October 1 in view of the centuries-old festival of the community. The ruling BJP has also welcomed the Election Commission’s decision.

The EC on Saturday deferred the Haryana Assembly poll date, saying the decision was taken keeping in mind the Bishnoi community’s festival. Som Prakash Bishnoi, Akhil Bhartiya Bishnoi Mahasabha’s Vice President, said the entire community thanks the Election Commission for its decision to defer the poll date.

Lakhs of members of the Bishnoi community take part in the festival and it takes 15-20 days to organise it, he said.  “Earlier, we were worried what if people (Bishnoi community) cannot vote as they would be travelling or if they are not able to take part in the event too. Now, with the new poll date, our problem has been solved and we thank the EC for this,” he said.

Before the revision of the date, the Haryana polls were to be held along with the third and last phase of the Jammu and Kashmir elections.The decision to postpone the Haryana elections has been taken to honour both the voting rights and traditions of the Bishnoi community which has upheld a 300-400-year-old practice in remembrance of their Guru Jambheshwar, the EC said on Saturday.

It said it had received a representation from the National President of the All India Bishnoi Mahasabha, Bikaner, Rajasthan for rescheduling the Haryana Assembly polls.

Generations of families from Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana visit their native village Mukam in Rajasthan on ‘amavas’ in the month of ‘Asoj’ for the annual festival in Bikaner in memory of Guru Jambheshwar, according to the EC.