“President Kovind did not celebrate any religious festivities such as Diwali, Christmas and Holi though he wished all fellow citizens on every major religious festival since he assumed office last July.”
New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday announced that that Rashtrapati Bhavan will not host an Iftar Party this year in accordance to his earlier decision of not observing any religious functions inside Rashtrapati Bhawan at taxpayers’ expense.
Ashok Malik, Press Secretary of the President in a series of tweet informed about the decision of President Kovind. “After the President took office in July 2017, he directed Rashtrapati Bhavan being a public building there would be no religious observances at taxpayer expense. This is in keeping with the principles of a secular state and applies to all festivities, irrespective of religion,” he tweeted.
After the President took office in July 2017, he directed Rashtrapati Bhavan being a public building there would be no religious observances at taxpayer expense. This is in keeping with the principles of a secular state and applies to all festivities, irrespective of religion 1/3
— Ashok Malik (@MalikAshok) June 6, 2018
“President Kovind did not celebrate any religious festivities such as Diwali, Christmas and Holi though he wished all fellow citizens on every major religious festival since he assumed office last July,” he added
He further stated that “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.”
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 3/3
— Ashok Malik (@MalikAshok) June 6, 2018
Except during the tenure of 11th President Apj Abdul Kalam from 2002-2007, the Rashtrapati Bhavan annually hosted the Iftar party. The tradition restarted during the tenure of 12th President of India Pratibha Patil which was followed by his successor Pranab Mukherjee. Iftar is evening meal called by Muslims to break ‘roza’ (fast) during the month of Ramzan
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