Church protests exams during Holy Week

Syro Malabar Church urges government to reschedule exams held on key Christian holy days, warning move undermines religious freedom and disregards faith practices.

KOCHI, Kerala (Indian Catholic News) — The Syro Malabar Church has strongly objected to government plans to conduct examinations during key Christian holy days, saying the move undermines religious freedom and disregards the sanctity of Holy Week observances.

In a press release dated March 24, the Church criticised the scheduling of exams and related academic activities on significant liturgical days, including Holy Thursday and Easter, calling it an infringement on believers’ rights.

It said conducting examinations on these days amounts to “a direct violation of the freedom of worship” for Christians, who regard them as among the most sacred moments in their faith tradition.

The statement warned that such decisions risk marginalising religious minorities and failing to respect the pluralistic nature of society.

It described the move as “a deliberate action against minorities,” expressing concern over what it sees as a pattern of disregard for Christian religious practices.

The Syro Malabar Church stressed that Holy Week observances hold deep spiritual importance and require participation in liturgical services, which would be hindered by compulsory examinations.

It added that ignoring these realities places undue pressure on students, teachers and staff, stating that the decision would affect “students, teachers and employees alike,” forcing them to choose between faith and academic obligations.

The statement further argued that such measures are inconsistent with the values of a secular nation, warning that they do not align with principles of respect for religious diversity.

Calling for immediate action, the Syro Malabar Church urged authorities to reconsider the schedule and make necessary adjustments. It appealed to the government to “reschedule the examinations and other programmes on these days,” taking into account the sentiments of the Christian community.

The appeal also called for sensitivity towards the rights of believers to participate fully in worship without institutional constraints.

The Syro Malabar Church emphasised that respecting religious observances is essential to maintaining social harmony and mutual understanding in a diverse society.

It urged officials to act promptly, saying authorities must “immediately intervene” to address the issue and ensure that such conflicts do not arise in the future.

The statement reflects broader concerns among Christian groups in India about the accommodation of religious practices within public policy and institutional frameworks.

Major national-level entrance examinations, including the all-India JEE engineering tests, are scheduled during Holy Week, falling on Maundy Thursday (April 2) and Easter Sunday (April 5).