Following the month-long rigorous fasting of Ramzan, Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated with immense joy and spiritual fervor across India. From the break of dawn, millions of devotees gathered at mosques and open grounds for the special Eid prayers. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu extended heart-felt greetings to the nation, the festivities in West Bengal took a distinct political turn at Kolkata’s iconic Red Road.

The Red Road Spectacle: Faith Meets Politics As per tradition, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee attended the massive prayer gathering at Red Road. Addressing the crowd, the Chief Minister combined her festive greetings with a stern political warning. She reiterated that no one would be allowed to snatch away the voting rights of citizens in the name of NRC or CAA. Joining the offensive, Abhishek Banerjee quoted the legendary Urdu poet Rahat Indori to take a swipe at the Modi-led central government, emphasizing that the country’s secular fabric must remain untainted.

PM’s Message of Brotherhood Despite the political friction, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media platform ‘X’ to share a message of peace. “Best wishes on Eid-ul-Fitr. May this occasion further the spirit of brotherhood and compassion in our society. I pray for everyone’s good health and well-being,” he posted. President Droupadi Murmu also highlighted India’s “unity in diversity” in her official greeting, calling for a renewed commitment to national progress.

Festivities Prevail Over Challenges The celebrations come on the heels of a massive shopping spree seen in markets from Kolkata to Delhi over the past week. Although a shortage of LPG cylinders in some areas caused minor inconveniences in festive kitchens, the spirit of the “Festival of Breaking the Fast” remained undeterred. After the morning prayers, people were seen embracing each other and sharing traditional delicacies like ‘Sewai’ and ‘Biryani.’ From the historic Jama Masjid in Delhi to every corner of Bengal, the nation stands united today in the spirit of charity and togetherness, even as the political drumbeats for the upcoming elections continue to echo.