Christian community reacts to the demands of liquor ban on December 24

The Christian community of Mumbai expresses strong objection to the Muslim community's demands for a liquor ban on December 24 (Eid-e-Milad), coinciding with Christmas eve

As members of the Muslim community demand a liquor ban on December 24, a day on which both Eid-e-Milad and Christmas eve fall, the Christian community has expressed strong objections to this restriction on their festivities.

Also read: Maharashtra government in a fix as Eid and Christmas Eve clash

'Midnight mass' in the city ends before midnight, thanks to noise rules. File pic

Brother Joseph Dias, founder of the Catholic-Christian Secular Forum, said, "Firstly, people who do not drink should observe self-restraint. During our festivals, Christians largely consume alcohol. The government shouldn't interfere with what we do in our home, and if this ban is implemented, Christians will see the state in a negative light. Ban on liquor has nothing to do with religion. After the beef ban, next we will have communities demanding no pork."

Brother Joseph Dias feels people who do not drink should observe self-restraint

"Bans are not advised at any time. They deprive people of their fundamental rights – be it a beef ban or an alcohol ban. Each person is entitled to his or her own space, which these bans deprive them of," said Dr Abraham Mathai of the Harmony Foundation, who was the former vice-chairman of the state's minorities commission.

By asking for the ban for their holy day, one community is depriving the other of celebrating their holy day properly, said Alphi D'souza, sarpanch of the Mobai Gaothan Panchayat. "If this continues, Christians will also ask for bans on Good Friday. Just because one minority was allowed, now all others are following suit, asking for bans on their festivals," he said, referring to the ban on meat during the Jain festival of Paryushan.

Already restricted
Christmas celebrations are already marred by one severe restriction – like all other events held in public spaces, Christmas masses held at public grounds are forced to end by midnight. This means even the traditional midnight mass is no longer held at midnight but starts around 10 pm instead.

Also read: Christmas choirs add local twist with lyrical spoof on beef ban

"I have written several times to the government, asking for the mass timings to be reconsidered. We should at least be allowed to hold midnight mass on Christmas and Easter. The authorities need to review the rule and relax it. For centuries, midnight mass has been part of the Christian tradition, but its significance will be lost, at this rate, said Dolphy D'souza, NAGAR coordinator (Better Policing).

Christmas will be restricted further by the liquor ban, said Dolphy, adding, "Bans are counter-productive; they divide people and have no relevance in today's times. They only stoke communal tensions. Everyone will start calling for bans at this rate, citing religious reasons."

Former top cop Julio Ribeiro also said he is against all bans, but suggested a way out for the community: "The political decisions behind bans are trouble. However, the community can stock alcohol earlier if they wish. Christians should not drink and go for mass anyway."

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