Rashtrapati Bhavan will not host Iftar party, Diwali celebrations

Standing firm on his decision against hosting religious functions at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Ram Nath Kovind will not host an Iftar party this year. Soon after assuming office, the President had decided to not host religious events on the behest of the taxpayers money at the Rashtrapati Bhavan or any public office.

“There would be no religious celebrations or observances in a public building such as Rashtrapati Bhavan. This is in keeping with the principles of a secular state and applies to all occasions, irrespective of religion,” said Ashok Malik, the President’s press secretary. He said there will be no functions to celebrate occasions like Diwali or Gurpurab.

The step has been taken keeping in mind the principles of a secular state and applies to all religious occasions.


"Officials and employees living in the President's Estate premises are absolutely free to celebrate any religious festival of their choice in the privacy of their homes," said Malik in a tweet. Malik added that President wishes all fellow citizens on all major religious festivals.

"President's Estate has religious institutions, such as a temple, a Gurudwara and a Masjid, erected by and for residents. On major festive occasions, the President does visit these to wish people. For example, he recently visited the Masjid to mark the holy month of Ramzan," the Press secretary added.

Iftar is a celebrated Islamic festival when 'Roza' is broken during the holy month of Ramzan.

Previous Presidents have hosted Iftar parties regularly except during the tenure of A P J Abdul Kalam.