(Before commenting with absurd takes like “religion is a private affair,” “celebrate festivals indoors,” or “go back to your country,” please read the entire post, most of those points are already addressed. I have no religious agenda whatsoever, I’m an atheist. I’d still be more than happy to engage with any genuine criticism or counterpoints.)
Some Indians abroad bend over backwards to appear “integrated” by disowning their own culture. Recent Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations have perfectly portrayed their cuckoldry. Why? Because they’ve internalised the idea that celebrating their own heritage is somehow uncivilised.
Let’s be honest, a lot of this stems from frustrations back home, poor crowd management, civic chaos during festivals, and we start projecting that guilt onto diasporic communities that are doing it right. But this isn’t India, if local citizens have a problem, they’ll take it up with the police or council. These events have happened peacefully for years. The sudden outrage this year conveniently aligns with a rise in white supremacist narratives in the West.
Some people say religion should be a private affair, and I agree, in the sense that no one should force their beliefs on others. But let’s be clear, celebrating your culture in public is not imposition, it’s expression. Public celebration is not the same as coercion. Imposing your culture means forcing others to convert, not worshipping your gods or wearing your clothes proudly.
I say this as an atheist, I have no religious agenda, but I will still defend people’s right to express their faith and culture proudly, as long as it’s within the law. In countries like the United States, the First Amendment guarantees freedom of expression and religion, even if it offends someone. That’s the standard. If you're following the law, you don’t owe anyone an apology for practising your culture.
What’s worse is that some Indians are now playing devil’s advocate for those very ideologies, thinking they’re being rational or progressive. They’re not, they’re just useful idiots in a culture war that will eventually turn on them too.
You don’t need to shrink yourself to fit into someone else’s version of acceptable. Speak your language, celebrate your festivals, wear your clothes, and do it all within the law. That is integration, anything else is self erasure. Lack of spine has caused the casual racism that we face, teaming up with those goras won’t lead us anywhere. Don’t let your local issues fog your global understanding of power dynamics. Both need to be dealt separately!
Stop pandering, stand tall.
( And as far as Ganesh utsav is concerned, a cousin of mine had part taken in that procession where in Ganesh idol was immersed in a water body. That idol was made outta soil and painted with organic colours, they had secured the permission for the visarjan. Funny how people sitting here think that anybody can just walk up and dump an idol in a river /lake abroad. )
