Barely a week has passed since Democratic challenger Joe Biden won the 2020 US presidential election, and it appears that the president-elect is already facing pressure from Indians on Twitter.
It all started when Biden, who will take over as president of the United States in January 2021, posted a tweet wishing Indians a happy Diwali on Saturday.
“To the millions of Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists who celebrate the Festival of Lights, @DrBiden and I send our best wishes for a #HappyDiwali. May your new year be filled with hope, happiness and prosperity. Sal Mubarak,” Biden wrote.
Little did he know that his simple tweet was enough to cause controversy in India, where many disagreed with Biden’s use of the term “Sal mubarak” as a Diwali saturation.
Mr. Biden, what is this “saal mubarak”? For Diwali it has no meaning and even without connotations. If you don’t know how to make a wish on Diwali, better ask @realDonaldTrump. He can guide you.
– Maharaj 🇮🇳 (@war_echo) November 14, 2020
Many pointed out that “Sal Mubarak” was in fact an “Islamic greeting” and was not usually greeted on Diwali.
I know that some people use Arabic greetings during Hindu festivals for a variety of historical reasons. I am cashmere. It does not mean that it is something that we all want or should have to do. Bombay was called Bombay until it was not.
– Sheenie Ambardar, MD (@DrAmbardar) November 14, 2020
But but what does this Sal Mubarak have to do with Diwali celebrations? Don’t try to be too smart playing with words to ride two horses. They both will pull you down together
– Professor S. Venugopalan🇮🇳 (@ Gopalee67) November 14, 2020
What is “Sal Mubarak”?
However, it seems Desi Twitter got it wrong. “Saal mubarak” is not a reference to any Islamic festival. In fact, Sal Mubarak is used to indicate the occasion of the Gujarati New Year, which is celebrated on the day after Diwali in Gujarat. The day is observed by Gujaratis, including Paris, Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted about it in 2017.
All of Gujarat, made up of millions of Hindus, Jains, Parsis, Sikhs, Muslims and our beloved Prime Minister, want him as ‘Sal Mubarak’. The next day of Diwali is our new year. So please! & Urdu has nothing to do with Islam, it is one of the best languages in India. Period. . pic.twitter.com/Ol9QtgRTYR
– Jay Gandhi (@ discoverjay24) November 14, 2020
The greeting, however, managed to go viral and the memes soon appeared. Many from Gujarat expressed pride over Biden’s “saal mubarak” tweet.
You should be Gujarati to understand !! Tomorrow when PM greets gujjus with Sal Mubarak, you will understand what I am saying!
– Yash Majiwala (@ yash23597) November 15, 2020
To all those who think of mubarak salt in Gujarat people say mubarak salt like Happy New Year ok
– Nature Explorer (@ NatureExplore13) November 14, 2020
And while some critics objected to the use of the word “mubarak,” others praised Biden for extending his warm wishes to the Hindu community in the United States.
Light comes in many forms. After all the darkness our nation experienced in 2020, I hope that our new President and Vice President will bring light, hope and happiness in the new year. Happy Independence Day everyone! https://t.co/WsfhAb9HAs
– Sri Preston Kulkarni (@SriPKulkarni) November 14, 2020
The Parsi community also uses “Saal Mubarak” to celebrate Nauroz, the Zoroastrian New Year celebrated in India and Pakistan. “Saal” means year while “Mubarak” is Arabic for congratulations.
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