A friend from Chennai told me that on Diwali night, the fireworks stopped at exactly ten o’clock. “People here actually obey the law,” he said proudly, “even when it’s a festival.” I sighed in disbelief, thinking of Mumbai where rules are treated as mere suggestions and laws as polite requests to be ignored.
In Mumbai, the noise of crackers and bombs continues well past midnight. Old people clutch their chests, babies wake up screaming, and dogs howl in confusion. Yet, those who set off the fireworks say they are doing it for God. I sometimes wonder what kind of God gets pleasure from watching His children terrify one another in His name.
Some years ago, a part of a church was demolished, and I was called to visit the site. The people there wanted me to write about the injustice done to them. “It was just a temporary extension,” they said. I bent down and picked up a piece of rubble. It was concrete. “You said this was a temporary shed,” I told them quietly, “but this is solid construction.” They looked uncomfortable and said, “Yes, but it was for the church.” I shook my head. “That makes it illegal,” I said. They asked me to keep quiet and said they were planning a protest march. I refused to join them.
That moment stayed with me. We so easily break rules in the name of faith and then expect divine approval. We build illegal shrines on roads, loudspeakers blare through the night, and processions block traffic. When someone dares to question it, we shout that religion is under attack.
No, my friends, what is under attack is respect for others.
The truth is that if God Himself walked among us today, He would be the first to follow the rules. He would not approve of us disturbing the sick or the elderly or breaking the law in His honour.
God does not need a loudspeaker to hear our prayers.
He does not need a temple on the footpath, a cross on a highway, or a mosque blocking the road. What He wants is honesty, fairness, and love for our neighbour.
It is time we stopped hiding behind religion to justify our selfishness. The commandments of every faith begin with reverence for God and end with compassion for man. Yet, we have turned both into excuses for noise, nuisance, and disobedience.
So, the next time you light that cracker after the permitted hour, or defend an illegal structure, or join a protest that has no moral ground, remember this: God would not be with you. He would be standing quietly beside the baby who woke up crying, or the old woman covering her ears in pain.
Shame on us for thinking we honour Him by breaking the very rules He expects us to follow.
Shame too on a government that doesn’t have the guts to enforce the law…!
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Robert Clements is a newspaper columnist and writes a daily column, which has graced the pages of over 60 newspapers and magazines, from a daily column in the Khaleej Times, Dubai, the Morning Star, London, and in nearly every state in India, from The Statesman in Kolkata, to the Kashmir Times in Kashmir to the Trinity Mirror in Chennai.
I couldn’t agree more with what you’ve written. You’ve captured exactly what faith should truly mean respect, empathy, and responsibility. I experienced something similar here in Bangalore, in an otherwise quiet neighborhood. It was well past midnight, yet a group of youngsters kept bursting extremely loud crackers and bombs. The noise was overwhelming, and I eventually felt compelled to step out and ask them to stop. That moment made me realize how easily we forget that celebration should never come at the cost of someone else’s peace. Like you said, if God were among us, He would choose silence and compassion over chaos and disturbance. Thank you for reminding us that real devotion lies in kindness and self-restraint.
Thank you Bruce. Yes, real devotion lies in kindness and self-restraint.
Dear Clement, you actually spoke my heart. Same here in Navi Mumbai, where I’m surrounded by many senior citizens in and around me. Sometimes curse comes out and spring the air, not joy or jubilation. It’s sad no one objects and the Chennai example should be read by politicians, beurocrats, and the citizens alike. Let common sense prevail.
All these because there’s lack of VALUES at home. Neither parents or children have imbibed these moral values.
Avoid loud and aggressive people. They are vexations to the spirit
Thank you Murali. Yes a lot of these problems springs from homes were such lessons were never taught.
I can never understand what benefit is there in bursting fire crackers …adds to noise and air pollution( tremondous increase of asthma and lungs affected patients)…and the sight of the waste left behind is hurting….yesterday was hoping will some leader rise up to ban production of fire crackers alcohol and cigarettes!!?
Our leaders reflect what the majority want Souji, and till we can convince people that this can affect the aged and the young, and is not a religious show, things will continue. We need to find the words and develop the langauge to be able to convince others of this annual problem. Thank you for your response.
Very true expression. Bob Sir U are fear less an honest columnist. Every word is a reality and you call spade a spade. Even I am scared of noise created by crackers. It’s so uncomfortable and create lot of pollution. Roads after Deewli giv dirtiest look. We have not spent a penny on crackers. Elimination by a few bulbs and LAKSHMI POOJN all rituals.Delighted with wonderful article eye opener forall.
Superb! I agree with you wholeheartedly despite being a “fireworks” lover though I don’t like to burst them.
By the way, who is responsible for the full public display of illuminations at Shivaji Park, Mumbai? Why have our “rule makers” permitted this “grand event” in the center of the city and elsewhere?
What is PETA doing to prevent animals from howling in fear and going into withdrawal symptoms?
One of my relatives, a young lad, who visited me, showed me several “Diwali fireworks” apps where you can create virtual fireworks displays with
realistic sounds and effects. We also discussed about “green crackers.”
I understand that bursting crackers on Diwali to celebrate victory over evil is religious and symbolic but in an age where
AI dominates almost everything, why can’t we adopt these sensible alternatives and protect our environment instead?
The air pollution levels have increased to alarming levels in almost every city, that it won’t be long before we start wearing oxygen masks. Our dream flight to the moon will not longer be a fantasy, just an expensive nuisance.
And what’s more annoying is that the “leftovers” are used as a “thunderous applause” during cricket matches by boisterous fans who are totally oblivious of their neighborhood.
It’s time we “fight our demons” noiselessly and sensibly and save our earth.
As usual a bold and honest article written with flair and honesty.
Grown men were lighting fireworks close to parked cars totally unconcerned about the hazards if a spark set off a blaze! Finally objections from neighbours caused them to move elsewhere.
God, is indeed heart- broken to see the disrespect, callousness and disregard that people have for one another and society at large!