Diwali is a festival for all; here’s how it’s celebrated in Delhi’s Tihar Jail

Diwali is celebrated across India and it includes the prisons also. Tihar celebrates the festival with much fervour.

Festivals in India go beyond religious connotations and become a celebration that involves all and sundry. Diwali is definitely one of them and to ensure that the inmates of Tihar Jail also feel inclusive during the festival of lights, the jail authorities have been celebrating the festival with its inmates for several years now.

Authorities of Tihar jail ensures that the inmates doesn’t feel left out and organise cultural events for them. (Vipin Kumar/ HT Photo)

From food stalls to cultural activities, several events take place inside the premises. Additional Inspector General (Prison) Rajkumar says, “Diwali is one of the biggest festival and everyone has a right to celebrate it. To make the day special, we organise cultural programmes inside the jail. The celebrations are exclusively arranged for the jail inmates and for people who live in Tihar Jail. Outsiders are not allowed to be a part of it. We have a special food menu and we decorate the premises also.”

This initiative makes the inmates happy. “I’ve been a prisoner for the past three years. I miss my home, but, I don’t homesick during the festive season. The arrangements bring smile inside the prison,” says Mohan Lal*, a prisoner. Similar emotion is voiced by another prisoner, Krishan Kumar*, who says. “I appreciate the efforts taken by the jail authorities. The cheer that’s spread makes us feel better.”

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