Why Wish “Eid Mubarak” Only To Those Who Are Celebrating?

I woke up to 27 unread messages last morning. I wondered who was missing me so much to send through twenty-seven of them, or how come a lot of people managed to miss me on the same day. With one eye opened, I flipped through the phone lock and found my notification section flooded with Eid wishes. I knew I had to wish back, so I kept it aside until late noon. Later, I made a greeting with a message of peace, which read –

“May the holy spirit brings in joy and peace to you, irrespective of who you are, irrespective of who you want to be. May this festival, and a lot more like this, be the celebration of humanity and harmony; a family as a whole. #EidMubarak ”

I wrote what was necessary, I wrote what felt right and inclusive, but what I read later was not only upsetting but also hinted towards exclusivity and ‘othering’ of a community. While most of the messages were from my Muslim friends; a few of them were very professional broadcasts from the people who own a firm or a little company and thought it would be a genuine courtesy to wish the people they know. Hence those few messages read— “Eid Mubarak to all those who are celebrating.”

I didn’t know what to say to people who replied to my wishes with “Eid ki hardik shubhkamnaayein”. I wonder which religious book they follow. I kept thinking about how and why do they feel the need to be so cold about this grand festival. But then, as I skimmed through my social media accounts— especially Twitter, I realised that they are learning from the best.

Someone as influential and thoughtful as Gurmehar Kaur tweeted:

She wasn’t the only one; she might not have even thought of what this one statement speaks out— because on the same line proceeded the External Affairs Minister of India, Dr S. Jaishankar who too felt that it’s alright only to wish those who are celebrating. This trend was also followed by the former Finance Minister of India, Mr Arun Jaitley.

On the contrary, the festival of lights, Diwali or the festival of colours Holi or for that matter even Ram Navami, is wished to every citizen of India.

This may not seem like a huge issue, but as the citizen of a secular society and in the wake of increasing divisiveness these days, I feel it’s all the more important to look out for every little thing.

These messages do not bring in wishes, but reek of discrimination which cannot be ignored. While the sentiments of many of my fellow Hindu friends get hurt even when someone wishes them a “happy Eid”, why isn’t the vice-versa practiced too?

More importantly, why is it practiced in the first place because obviously, no one took into account the need to be inclusive.

Wishing them all is crucial because it lays out what is important to me is important to you; it is essential because it shows how what is ‘happy’ to me can also be ‘happy’ to you – even if it is a festival which does not belong to your religion, it can be a mutual celebration.

To all the citizens of India,

If my Diwali is your Diwali, my Baisakhi is your Baisakhi; then my Eid will be your Eid too. It isn’t limited only to those who celebrate it. It is for you and me and for all those who believe in the principle of humanity. It is for those who hold a belief in their hearts and have faith in harmony. It is for those who seek peace and are willing to spread it with open arms.

Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous Eid!

With love,

A girl who dreams of a secular India