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Jaipur, October 21 (IANS) After Independence Day, India once again refrained from giving sweets to Pakistan Rangers on Diwali. The Union Home Ministry had directed the Border Security Force (BSF) not to indulge in the traditional exchange of sweets along the India-Pakistan border this year.
Following these instructions, sweets were not exchanged at Rajasthan border outposts including Sriganganagar, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Barmer, where BSF personnel are deployed.
For decades, Indian and Pakistani soldiers have exchanged sweets and greetings on national and religious occasions such as Independence Day, Republic Day, Holi, Diwali and Eid – symbolizing goodwill and mutual respect despite tensions.
However, this tradition was put on hold after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 people were killed by Pakistan-based terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran plains, which prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government to take a tough stance towards the neighboring country for anti-India activities.
The exchange of sweets was first suspended on August 15 and has now been extended till Diwali. A senior security official said the message from New Delhi to Pakistan is clear – “as long as cross-border terrorism continues, such symbolic gestures will remain suspended.”
Over the years, cordial exchanges between the BSF and Pakistan Rangers have taken a small but symbolic step towards establishing peace and harmony. On festivals like Meethi Eid, Eid al-Adha and Diwali, both sides traditionally greeted each other with trays of sweets at the zero point on the border. But this Diwali the border of Rajasthan remained calm.
There was no handshake nor exchange of sweets between the two sides. In place of general harmony, there was only a firm policy by India and strict vigilance giving a message to Pakistan that signs of peace cannot coexist with terrorism.
“After August 15, India continued its no-sweets policy amid rising cross-border tensions,” officials said.
–IANS
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