A group of Opposition, independent and ruling legislators on Wednesday demanded that the “Goa State Film Festival” be postponed because it will be organised during the Holy Week for Christians and specifically to clash with the Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. The lone BJP Christian legislator Michael lobo, said he is under “pressure” because of Government’s repeated decisions perceived to be against the minority community.
“I am demanding that my Government should reschedule the Goa Film Festival because it clashes with the Holy Week, which is a time for mourning for Christians. It is not acceptable,” lobo told The Pioneer. Besides lobo, Opposition MlAs Reginaldo lourenço (Congress), Vijai Sardesai and Rohan Khaunte said the actions of the BJP-led Government in Goa are putting the minorities in a spot, by precipitating controversial issues. The Goa Film Festival is scheduled to be held from April 3-5. Holy week is an especially solemn time in the Christian calendar, which commemorates the arrest and subsequent killing of Jesus Christ commemorated over a period of four days culminating on Easter Sunday.