No Iftar party at Rashtrapati Bhavan as President against religious events on taxpayer expense
Iftar parties have been traditionally hosted at the Rashtrapati Bhavan except during the tenure of APJ Abdul Kalam, who was the president from 2002-2007.
In keeping with his decision to not observe any religious functions inside Rashtrapati Bhawan since he assumed office last July, President Ram Nath Kovind will not host an Iftar party this year. Iftar is the breaking of the ‘roza’ (fast) that is observed by the Muslims during the month of Ramzan.
A Rashtrapati Bhawan spokesperson said that Kovind did not celebrate any religious festivities such as Diwali, Christmas and Holi though he wished all fellow citizens on every major religious festival.
“After the President took over office, he decided there would be no religious celebrations or observances in a public building such as Rashtrapati Bhavan on taxpayer expense. This is in keeping with the principles of a secular state and applies to all religious occasions, irrespective of religion,” said Ashok Malik, press secretary to the president.
Kovind’s predecessors had celebrated these religious festivities.