Religious leaders from two different faiths in India have issued directives against New Year celebrations, declaring January 1st as a Christian religious festival that their followers must not celebrate.
The All India Muslim Jamaat’s National President, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, has issued a fatwa through the Chashme Darul Ifta, Bareilly, explicitly stating that New Year celebrations are Christian religious practice. “The celebration of New Year is the beginning of the New Year of the Christians. Celebrating New Year is the religious practice of the Christians. Celebrating any non-religious practices is strictly prohibited for Muslims,” Maulana Shahabuddin told the media.
The religious decree specifically targets young men and women, prohibiting them from participating in New Year festivities or extending congratulations for the occasion. The fatwa declares that those who engage in New Year celebrations would be considered sinners, specifically banning activities such as singing, dancing, drinking, and gambling during the celebrations.
In Hyderabad, BJP MLA T Raja Singh from the Goshamahal constituency has called upon Hindus to reject New Year celebrations, stating that January 1st belongs to the Christian calendar. “January 1 is the new year for Christians and not for Sanathanis (Hindus). I don’t know why people are welcoming the new year in other communities. Our New Year begins from Ugadi festival and chaitra shukla pratipada,” Singh said.
The BJP legislator described the widespread celebration of January 1st as “a big conspiracy hatched by Western countries” that Indians are unknowingly embracing and passing on to future generations. He expressed concern about Hindu youth visiting pubs, bars, and resorts for New Year celebrations.
Senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi strongly dismissed the fatwa, saying, “A fraudulent fatwa factory is operating unchecked. These fatwas are issued as casually as vegetables are sold on carts. Such declarations are mere attempts to stir unrest. However, society is vigilant and aware of these disruptive tactics.” Naqvi did not make a comment on the statement on Singh though.
Shiv Sena UBT leader Anand Dubey condemned the religious directive issued by Barelvi, stating, “Do these Maulanas even study or just claim to be knowledge holders? The entire world celebrates the New Year, yet they speak against it. Stopping any particular religion from celebrating is unwise. These Maulanas lack understanding and should be sent back to madrasas to boost their knowledge.”
Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi, however, supported the fatwa, saying, “I do not celebrate New Year. I only pray for the welfare of India, for everyone to be happy, and for our economy to grow to a trillion dollars. Drinking, partying, and other un-Islamic activities are not something we support. This fatwa is directed at a specific committee, not the entire country, and it aligns with Islamic teachings.”
Speaking to Christian Today, Congress leader and Christian activist Minakshi Singh strongly condemned the religious decree, demanding an apology. “I strongly condemn Shahabuddin Barelvi’s attempt to link New Year celebrations with Christian faith. In a country already polarised along religious lines, such statements from religious leaders only worsen the situation. Every citizen has the right to celebrate as they choose. Barelvi must apologise to the Christian community and withdraw his remarks,” Singh said.
BJP leader Danish Azad Ansari emphasised progress over controversies, stating, “We should focus on progress and development as a society. This should be our priority and thinking.”
The directives have emerged just days before the anticipated New Year celebrations across India. Barelvi also voiced opposition to reports about Salman Rushdie’s book ‘The Satanic Verses’, banned in India for over three decades, potentially becoming available for sale again.
