A boy offers sewai to chief minister Nitish Kumar at Gandhi Maidan in Patna on Monday. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Chief minister Nitish Kumar went around the town greeting people on the occasion of Id, while his archrival Lalu Prasad celebrated the festival of fusion inviting people to his 10 Circular Road home.

After greeting visitors and dishing out sewai (vermicelli), lachchas, and chicken and mutton delicacies, Lalu left for New Delhi at 3pm. In sharp contrast, Nitish had a day out in true sense. Till late evening, he hopped from one place to another to mingle with revellers and wish them “Id Mubarak”.

Nitish’s day began early. Sporting a fez (round cap) and a shawl around his shoulder, he first hit the Gandhi Maidan — the venue of the main Id prayer — at 8.30am. He greeted thousands of namazis offering prayers in well-organised rows. The main cleric at the venue, Maulana Mohammad Qasim, gifted the chief minister a traditional skullcap and a saafa (scarf).

“Id gives the message of peace. The festival symbolises equality, brotherhood, love, social and communal harmony and tolerance,” Nitish said.

From Gandhi Maidan, Nitish went to Khanequah-e-Muzibia at Phulwarisharif to meet Syed Shah Hayatullah Qadri and wished him “Id Mubarak”. He then proceeded to Imarat-e-Shariah in the same locality, sharing sewai with children and common people.

From Imarat-e-Shariah, Nitish went to call on Farhat Abbas, a noted scholar, in the Mahendru area. He also met Abbas’s family members and wished them on the occasion.

Thereafter, Nitish’s cavalcade proceeded to Idar-e-Shariah at Shahganj in Patna City. He participated in Id celebrations there.

Nitish also visited Khanquah-e-Munimiya, Khanequah Bargad-e-Ishque, Taquia Sharif and Khanequah-e- Imadia in the Patna City area to greet clerics and revellers.

Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi did not accompany Nitish but visited Muslim localities separately to greet people. He also attended some Id Milan functions sporting a round cap and a traditional shawl.

Modi went to Zakir Hussain Inter College and Godahua Tota to greet people. He gave an emotional message on the occasion.

“Hindus and Muslims are like two eyes of Mother India. The nation can reach the pinnacle of glory only on the edifice of the Hindu-Muslim unity.”

Modi also appealed people to maintain peace, brotherhood and mutual love as a tribute to the festival.

Unlike Nitish and Modi, Lalu mingled with Id revellers at his home. He shared food with visitors and the party leaders.

After Lalu left for New Delhi in the afternoon, RJD general secretary Ramkripal Yadav visited mosques, khanequahs and Muslim localities to greet people.