In support of Gorkhaland, Muslims to have low-key Eid celebrations

Even as normal life continues to be paralysed in the Hills due to the indefinite bandh staged by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), the Muslim community of Darjeeling has decided to keep the this week’s Id-ul-Fitr celebrations on a low-key to show their solidarity with the Gorkhaland movement.

The Muslims will not be requesting the administration for any special relief from the bandh on the festival, which is scheduled for Friday, Ali Akhtar, executing officer of the Anjuman-e-Islamia, the main governing body of the minority in the Hills, told The Hindu .

“We will offer the compulsory prayers but there will be no usual fanfare,” he said.

Expressing his “gratefulness” to the Muslims, GJM supremo Bimal Gurung said, “I am obliged to the Muslim community and I promise we will have the biggest Id celebrations once we get Gorkhaland.”