By Syed Ali Mujtaba
A private school in Shimla has cancelled its planned Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations after threats from a Hindutva group.
An organization called ‘Dev Bhoomi Sangarsh Samiti’ warned to “gherao” the school and take legal action against the school if the decision to celebrate Eid festival was not withdrawn. Some other religious outfits and commoners also expressed concern on social media.
The Auckland House School authority said they organized the celebration to help young students appreciate India’s cultural diversity. They had invited students to wear traditional attire and bring festive food as part of a cultural learning experience, similar to its celebrations for Holi, Diwali, and Christmas.
The English-medium school issued the directions to the students for March 28, the last Friday before the Eid-ul-Fitr, for the celebrations.
A communiqué to the parents read, “The planned Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations for classes nursery to class Two were a part of their efforts to help young students appreciate India’s cultural diversity — just as we celebrate Holi, Diwali, and Christmas.”
“It was intended purely as a cultural learning experience, with no religious rituals and enforcement, and participation was entirely voluntary.”
“Given the recent misrepresentation and concern around potential disruption, the school has decided to withdraw the event to maintain peace and secure the environment, and the students should attend the school in regular uniform as usual,” it added.
“Himachal Pradesh and its capital Shimla have emerged as an epic center of anti-Islam, anti-Muslim activity,” says a social activist, who had opposed the Sangoli mosque demolition in Shimla.
“The Hindu fanatics are having a field day in Himachal Pradesh, she said, and added Hell might have let loose, if anything like this may have come from any Islamic group,” she added.