President Ram Nath Kovind will not host an Iftar party this year at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. "After the President took over office, he decided there would be no religious celebrations or observances in a public building such as Rashtrapati Bhavan on taxpayer expense. This is in keeping with the principles of a secular state and applies to all religious occasions, irrespective of religion," said Ashok Malik, Press Secretary to the president.