I am an atheist, but not one who dims the music of celebration. The classical Indian definition of an atheist, i.e. Nastik, is the one that denounces the Vedas. Still, in common parlance, it is for one who does not accept the existence of God.
It is a misconception that atheists have no festivals. From Independence Day to Labour Day, Women’s Day, and Teachers’ Day – all these are days we can celebrate as festivals. In truth, any day the heart finds joy can become a feast. This requires no mythological narrative, no religious pomp.
My curiosity extends even to this: did a historical figure named Jesus Christ truly exist? And if he did, was he truly born on the 25th of December, in the year zero? My objection lies at the very root of accepting this Gregorian calendar – it is one of the many systems imposed by colonialism, flawed even from a scientific lens. In comparison, the Indian Panchang (the Hindu almanac based on celestial movements) is more scientific and precise. Moreover, this calendar’s history is a testament to human ego – Julius Caesar insisted his month (July) has 31 days. His successor, Augustus, not to be outdone in the annals of history, made August 31 days long as well. Poor February, with no patron, lost two of its days. The irony is that the entire world today accepts this unscientific arrangement, solely due to imperial pressure. One hopes the future human society will be founded on more scientific and humane values.
However, to be prevented from an act for frivolous or irrational reasons is a form of mental slavery, which no living, reasoning being can accept. If I were in Bangladesh or Pakistan and were stopped from celebrating Diwali or Holi, even if I had no personal inclination, in defiance of that coercion, I would celebrate. And I would fight for it. I would endure persecution, but confront.
In the same way, whether this ‘New Year’ is truly new or not, or whether Christ was born on Christmas or not – these are separate questions. The fundamental question is this: is it right for those in whose hands rests the rod of power, and whose minds are intoxicated by authority, to stop people from celebrating the Gregorian New Year? Is it right for them to force everyone to observe Gudi Padwa? Is it dignified for them to prevent people from celebrating Christmas while themselves celebrating Ganesha Utsav, Navratri, and other festivals with loudspeakers? No. It is utterly improper.
Recently, some close comrades – Ashima Roychoudhury, Comrade Amreek Singh, and Comrade Janardan – departed suddenly. Their absence is a profound sorrow, but such is the way of life. Grief cannot be compared, yet the murder of Angel, a youth from Tripura, in Dehradun, shattered the heart.
That sentiment which fosters hatred and a sense of superiority towards the ‘other,’ instead of curiosity and welcome, is utterly toxic. This is not even seen in uncivilised societies. It is a terrifying aberration of our social path. And yet… new life continues to enter this world. It is welcome. From it, we hope for a better future.
On a personal level, this is perhaps my first such New Year and Christmas where I am profoundly happy. And the sole reason for this is an email received from Palestine. A friend from Bethlehem sent a video and informed that due to the two-year-long massacre in Gaza, Christmas had not been celebrated in Bethlehem or across Palestine for the past two years. This year, the Christmas tree has been decorated in Bethlehem. Christmas has been celebrated.
Only 10% of Bethlehem’s population is Christian, but Christmas is celebrated there by all. To see that joy return to their faces makes the heart swell with gladness. My prayers are simple: stop the slaughter; let Israel and Netanyahu be held accountable; let Palestine be free; end all narrow-mindedness in India.
Perhaps I’m asking a lot of the New Year — but I believe these are minimal demands, things that should have been won long ago.
(Vineet Tiwari is the National Secretary of the Progressive Writers’ Association and is associated with the India-Palestine Solidarity Network. He returned a month ago from a ten-day visit to the West Bank, Palestine.)
