President not to host Iftar, Diwali at Raisina Hill

NEW DELHI:

President Ram Nath Kovind

will not host an

Iftar

at

Rashtrapati Bhavan

in keeping with his decision, soon after assuming office, that taxpayers’ money will not be spent on any function marking a

religious occasion

.


“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.

Iftar parties have been hosted at the Rashtrapati Bhavan except during the tenure of APJ Abdul Kalam, according to PTI.