Raksha Bandhan 2026: Amit Shah Calls For Women’s Safety, Education And Economic Independence

Union Home and Cooperation Minister and Gandhinagar Lok Sabha MP Amit Shah on Thursday extended Raksha Bandhan greetings to the people of Gujarat and the country, while stressing the need to strengthen women’s safety, education, economic independence and participation in nation-building.

Key Takeaways

In a message issued ahead of Raksha Bandhan on August 28, Shah said the festival symbolised the bond of love, trust and affection between brothers and sisters, along with the responsibility to uphold women’s safety, dignity and self-respect.

“The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was working with the resolve to make ‘Nari Shakti’ a force for national strength by placing women’s empowerment at the centre of development,” he added.

Shah cited initiatives including Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Lakhpati Didi and Namo Drone Didi. He said these schemes were aimed at connecting girls and women with education, healthcare, security, economic self-reliance and employment opportunities.

The Minister referred to the Women’s Reservation Act, calling the move to increase women’s participation in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies a historic decision.

Shah said initiatives such as Lakhpati Didi were helping crores of women move towards self-employment and self-reliance.

“The decisions of the PM Modi-led government are advancing India’s journey beyond ‘women’s empowerment’ towards ‘women-led development’,” Union Minister Shah added.

Shah said the focus should go beyond empowering women to creating greater opportunities for them to take leadership roles in the country’s development. He further called on citizens to strengthen efforts to ensure every girl in the country is safe, educated and self-reliant.

Shah urged people to link women’s dignity and capabilities with national progress and work towards expanding their participation in building a developed India.

People will observe Raksha Bandhan on August 28 this year.

The festival traditionally marks the bond between brothers and sisters, with sisters tying a rakhi around their brothers’ wrists.

Also Read: From Nehru To PM Modi: Amit Shah Traces Narmada Project’s Gujarat Journey