Ingush activists and officials propose a new format for celebrating February 23

Residents of Ingushetia should not ignore the Defender of the Fatherland Day, but the holiday coincides with the anniversary of the deportation, and that fact makes entertainment events unacceptable. This opinion was expressed by Murad Daskiev, the acting head of the Ingush Council of Teips (family clans), MP Zakriy Mamilov, and Issa Kostoev, an adviser to the leader of Ingushetia.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in 2020, on the social media platforms, activists offered residents of Northern Caucasus to abandon the celebration of the Defender of the Fatherland Day on February 23, the anniversary of the deportation of Chechen and Ingush people. The celebrations on February 23 exacerbates the problem of non-recognition of the "drama of the Caucasian peoples", notes Irina Kosterina, a coordinator of the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

On February 23, commemorative events will be traditionally held at the Memorial Complex to the Victims of Stalinist Repression, announced Murad Daskiev, the acting head of the Ingush Council of Teips (family clans).

Residents of Chechnya and Ingushetia should not refuse to celebrate the Defender of the Fatherland Day, but the republics should choose a format of events different from the other regions, believes Issa Kostoev, the adviser to the leader of Ingushetia, who personally survived the exile. "We need to mark both dates. We should try to do that delicately, without causing any mental trauma to anyone. Although, of course, this is a holiday through tears," Issa Kostoev said.

Ingush activist Angela Matieva associates the Defender of the Fatherland Day with the memory of those who fell victim to World War II. The activist believes no entertainment events or feasts are appropriate on February 23. According to Angela Matieva, events not related to concerts may be held on February 23.