Mumbai, June 06: The Rashtrapati Bhavan will not be hosting an iftar ceremony this year. It will be for the first time in last 10 years that the ritual will be given a miss. The practice of celebrating iftar (the ritual of breaking fast at dusk by Muslim community during Ramzan) was a regular feature since Pratibha Patil took over as the President of India.

There was no iftar at the Rashtrapati Bhavan during the years of 2002-2007 too. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam had then stopped the ceremonious ritual too, during his tenure as the President. The former President had discontinued the religious affair celebrations and the funds meant for it was diverted to several orphanages.

As per the New Indian Express’ report, Press Secretary to President Kovind, Ashok Malik confirmed the news. He said, “Rashtrapati Bhavan is the embodiment of a secular state. Matters of religion and governance have to be kept separate. On taxpayers’ expense, the building does not host any religious function irrespective of the religion involved.”

Last year, the Christmas’ celebrations, i.e. carol singing, didn’t take place in the Rashtrapati Bhavan either. The practice of carol singing at the time of Christmas’ celebrations used to be a regular affair till the year 2016, a year before Ram Nath Kovind was appointed as the Head of State. However, during the 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai in the year 2008, the then President Pratibha Patil had cancelled the event, in order to mark respect for the victims who lost their lives.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 06, 2018 01:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).