‘Amma’s Iftar’counters hate with shared humanity in Bengaluru

Bengaluru

In a world often divided by lines on a map or labels of faith, Saturday evening at the Ashirvad Centre in Bengaluru served as a living bridge between communities. Under a canopy of shared respect, people of all faiths gathered to break the Ramadan fast, proving that the simple act of sharing a meal can dissolve the deepest of social barriers.
 
This year’s ‘Amma’s Iftar’, hosted by Meenakshi Srinivasan and her son Venkat, once again turned a public space into a shared home, with guests bringing both traditional food and a palpable sense of positivity to the table. Speaking to News Trail about how the initiative began, Venkat said, “Four years ago, two festivals of Hinduism and Islam coincided, and there was a lot of violence and heavy communal tension. It deeply disturbed my mother”.He added that his mother was pained by the atmosphere of hatred around her.

“Being a Gandhian, she believed the best way to respond was to open our gates and show that we do not believe in divisions”, he said, describing Amma’s Iftar as a call for love, harmony, and togetherness. He further stated that while he and his sister have received praise for their initiative, they hope such actions get normalised rather than something that sets them apart. They view it as the bare minimum that should be done in the spirit of humanism.

A mother’s love
Meenakshi said she feels deeply saddened by reports of people being killed or discriminated against based on their religion. She noted that such incidents reflect a disturbing trend in society. “Even educated individuals sometimes engage in discrimination against Muslims and treat people differently because of their religion or caste. 

It is very unfortunate,” she said. Meenakshi stated that the current hostility between religious communities is a recent development that must not continue.  She highlighted that, as Hindu Brahmins who refrain from non-vegetarian food, her family has traditionally lived in harmony with people of all faiths. She urged both individuals and institutions to organise and support initiatives that promote communal harmony, strengthen understanding, and foster peaceful coexistence.

A celebration for all
Social activist Tanveer Ahmed, who has attended Amma’s iftar gatherings for the past four years, said it was encouraging to see several new faces this year. He noted that iftar gatherings extend beyond prayers and breaking the fast, serving as spaces for interaction and relationship-building. 
He added that several such gatherings have been held across Bengaluru this Ramadan, including at a Gurudwara and the Biblical Society Church, reflecting the city’s spirit of unity and brotherhood.

Riyaz Ahamed Rona, State Joint Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami, was also present at the event and shared his thoughts: “Amma has brought people of different faiths together to share Iftar, demonstrating that Iftar is not meant for just one community, but is a celebration that belongs to everyone.”