It’s Christmas, and I always wonder, why does a festival from thousands of miles away feel magical to a Nepali youth like our own Dashain and Tihar?
Though being born in a hindu family, Christmas has always fascinated me. It is probably due to english movies and songs which got me attached with this festival. I cannot deny, that belonging to a generation that was raised with phone/internet, can stay away from cultural importation through music, movies and social media. Hollywood has portrayed Christmas as a festival of happiness. The snow, lights, presents and smiles are shown beautifully that makes everyone to fall in love with this festival.
But sadly, Nepalese society, particularly social media user and religious groups has turned this festival into symbolic denial of Christianity. Words like ‘missionary’ and ‘foreign agent’ are often heard in comments and during causal talks.
I remember studying the chapter ‘Religious tolerance’ under social studies as the characteristics of Nepalese Society, and honestly, I was always so proud of the acceptance that we have against other religion.
So what actually happened in few years, that we, the people with religious tolerance, turned into rebellion against christianity? If celebrating a festival feels like a threat, what does that say about the strength of our faith? So what happened to our society?
From when our ‘unity in diversity’ turned to radical hatred?
I believe it’s political instrumentalization, identity anxiety and post- secular nationalism that have fueled our people against Christianity.
I agree that our people are manipulated to change their religion by various NGOs, specifically to economically vulnerable people. But this factor must not be the sole reason to separate us. One must be Nepali first before belonging to any religion.
The recent incidents of people openly eating beef in Dharan only to provoke Hindu’s or communal war between Muslims and Hindus in Birjung are seriously saddening.
We already have multiple problems that we need to face together. Nepalese society dividing in the
name of Religion might be the worst thing that could ever happen to modern Nepal.
Festivals come and go, but the values we carry remains. Merry Christmas.
Bishal Belbase
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