Eid Away From Home: Pandits Host Lunch For Kashmiri Muslims Who Could Not Go Back Home

As the country celebrated Eid-ul-Adha amid the lockdown in Kashmir a group of Kashmiri Pandits hosted a lunch for Kashmiri Muslims in Delhi-NCR while another group of Kashmiris also organised a community event at Jantar Mantar, to show solidarity with the people residing at the Valley.

Hundreds Celebrate Eid At Jantar Mantar

No one should feel alone and bereft on a day of festivity.. Dilliwaalon.. show these Kashmiri students some heart! ♥️ Bring some khaanaa and join! Tomorrow, 12th August 2019, 1:30pm onwards at #JantarMantar #Delhi #Eid pic.twitter.com/tUzEAKe7ze

— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) August 11, 2019

They haven’t spoken to their family for the last 6-7 days. Not even today. Eid kaise hogi ��
‘Chale bhi aao gulshan ka karobaar chale…’#StandWithKashmiris #JantarMantar pic.twitter.com/9mE2wopzgp

— Mirchi Sayema (@MirchiSayema) August 12, 2019

Kashmiris across the country observed a gloomy Eid on Monday as they couldn’t wish their families stuck in the Valley amid the clampdown.

It has been a week since the Centre imposed an unprecedented lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir. The Valley remains under a communication blackout with phone lines and mobile services suspended.

To celebrate Eid with Kashmiris who have not been able to go back to their homes, several groups in the national capital organised events, potlucks and lunches to make them feel at home.

Eid Away from Home at #JantarMantar !#EidMubarak #Delhi #Kashmir pic.twitter.com/6LL2SIrk1K

— Mahtab महताब مہتاب (@MahtabNama) August 12, 2019

One such event was also organised by a group of Kashmiri Pandits in Gurugram on Monday. People were invited to bring food, share stories and observe Eid with those away from home.

Therein lies hope .. �� pic.twitter.com/nsvheIP97v

— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) August 11, 2019

Pankaj Dhar, one of the organisers of the event, told India Today, “I am a displaced Kashmiri myself. I know what it is like to be away from home, especially during a festival.”

“So 3-4 of us got together to organise a lunch for our Kashmiri brothers and sisters to celebrate Eid with them. We have organised everything and want them to know that we stand in solidarity with them and hope things will get better soon,” he added.

Sharika Amin, one of the organisers, said, “When we are away from family and unable to get in touch, celebrating Eid gets a little difficult. We are simply observing it. The fact that we are doing it at Jantar Mantar and not in our homes with our families is a statement in itself. We hope that Kashmiris living away from home, students, professionals, etc., would find some solace in this event.”

While many people opened their hearts for Kashmiris on Eid, social media was also brimming with posts inviting Kashmiris to their homes for Eid festivities.

Punjab CM Hosts Lunch

Chief Minister of Punjab Amarinder Singh hosted lunch for 125 students from various universities in Punjab, along with several of his Cabinet colleagues.

Chief Minister greeted the youngsters with best wishes for normalcy in the valley soon. “We cannot replace your families, but I hope you consider us as your family too,” he told the students, assuring them of their safety in Punjab.

As a gesture of their love, the students presented to the Chief Minister a portrait sketched by Abdul Azad, a fine arts Kashmiri student from Chandigarh University.

Situation In Kashmir

The Centre had relaxed some of the restrictions in the Valley on the eve of Eid. However, the curfew was reimposed once the prayers got over.

Rohit Kansal, J&K principal secretary, said arrangements were in place for Eid and people could also use communication facilities from the district commissioner’s office in Srinagar. “We look forward to a peaceful, calm and relaxed Eid,” Kansal told the media.

The state administration has been advised to ensure the supply of food items at the doorstep through mobile vans.

“Six markets have been built in Srinagar city. Further, 2.5 lakh sheep are available for the public for Eidul- Zuha sacrifice. In the rest of the districts, magistrates have made elaborate arrangements for the Eid-ul-Azha,” said MHA officials.

Also, Read: ‘This is How I Celebrate Eid’: Kerala Garment Seller Donates His Entire Stock to Flood Victims