Chechen Instagram users oppose spending budget funds on New Year holidays

Chechen authorities should not spend money on New Year festivities, some Instagram users believe. They and other social network users, and residents of Chechnya have criticized participants in the New Year celebrations.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Chechen authorities reported that over 120,000 people gathered in central Grozny on the New Year eve. Employees of budget-funded organizations had to attend under the threat of layoffs, Grozny residents have told.

The information about official New Year celebrations in Chechnya has been criticized by Instagram users. "They spend so much money on these fireworks; [what] is the point?! They'd build a shelter for poor animals in each district," the user kimkimkm8888 believes.

Other commentators have criticized the participants of the celebration. "If there would have been our holiday (that is, an Islamic holiday), wouldn't have been so many people there ... Brothers and sisters, has Santa Claus created you to celebrate a holiday that is not appropriate for us to celebrate and even recognize?" the user ahma_0505 has reproached residents of Chechnya.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on January 3, 2020 at 04:15 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.