Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 29 May 2026 extended greetings on the occasion of Eid ul-Adha, calling for a deepening of brotherhood and happiness in Indian society and offering prayers for the success and good health of all.

Context

Eid ul-Adha is one of the two principal festivals in Islam, observed by Muslims across the world through congregational prayers, the ritual of animal sacrifice, and the distribution of meat among family, neighbours, and those in need. The festival underscores values of charity, devotion, and communal solidarity. In India, home to one of the world's largest Muslim populations, the occasion is a public holiday marked by large gatherings at mosques and open grounds.

Prime Minister Modi posted his message on X (formerly Twitter), writing: 'Eid ul-Adha greetings! May this occasion deepen the spirit of brotherhood and happiness in our society. Praying for everyone's success and good health.' The message was brief, inclusive, and addressed to the public at large rather than any specific community alone.

Policy Backdrop

Modi has issued comparable Eid messages in previous years, including in 2023 and 2024, consistently invoking themes of social harmony and collective well-being. These greetings align with the Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas (Together with all, development for all) framework that has been a stated cornerstone of his government's public communication since 2014.

Indian heads of government have, across administrations, issued festival greetings spanning Eid, Diwali, Christmas, Gurpurab, and other occasions as a constitutional expression of India's secular and pluralist character. Such messages from the Prime Minister's Office form part of a structured public-communication calendar and do not typically accompany specific new policy announcements.

Stakeholders and Impact

The message is directed at Indian Muslims and, by its inclusive framing, at the broader citizenry. Religious minorities and civil society groups have long viewed festival greetings from the country's highest office as a symbolic affirmation of their place in the national fabric. The emphasis on 'brotherhood' and 'society' rather than a narrowly defined community reinforces that framing.

At the grassroots level, Eid ul-Adha mobilises significant economic activity — from livestock markets to the hospitality and transport sectors — particularly in states with large Muslim populations such as Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Kerala, and Jammu and Kashmir. The Prime Minister's message carries resonance in these regions.

What's Next

Similar greetings from the Prime Minister's Office are expected on subsequent religious occasions across faiths, continuing an established pattern of outreach that reinforces national unity. State governments, particularly those led by the BJP and its allies, are likely to echo the message through their own official channels. Any central or state-level Eid events in the days ahead would build on the spirit articulated in this post.