More than 10,000 women from Gujarat, affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mahila Morcha and allied organisations, will send rakhis and postcards to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of Raksha Bandhan on 28 August, state BJP Mahila Morcha president Anju Vekaria announced on Friday, 21 August. The gesture, described as a 'thread of protection,' is intended to convey affection, trust, and emotional solidarity with the Prime Minister.

A Recurring Annual Tradition

Vekaria, speaking at a press conference at the BJP state office in Gandhinagar, said this is not a one-off initiative — Gujarat women have been sending rakhis and postcards to PM Modi every year, expressing wishes for his good health, long life, and continued strength to serve the nation. This year's participation, crossing the 10,000-mark, reflects what the organisation describes as growing grassroots support among women in the state.

Women's Empowerment at the Centre of the Message

Vekaria said the outreach is also an occasion to highlight what she described as PM Modi's sustained focus on women's safety, dignity, and empowerment — spanning his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister through his current term as Prime Minister. She cited 33 per cent reservation for women in various categories of government jobs in Gujarat and 50 per cent reservation of seats in local self-government elections as concrete steps toward greater participation.

'Women are now serving in various government departments and as elected representatives,' Vekaria said.

Key Schemes Referenced

The BJP Mahila Morcha president cited several central government schemes as evidence of the administration's commitment to women's welfare. These include the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (clean cooking fuel), Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (sanitation), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (housing), Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (savings for girls), and Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (girl child education and welfare). She also highlighted the role of Sakhi Mandals and self-help groups in connecting lakhs of women with self-employment and income sources.

On newer initiatives, Vekaria pointed to the Lakhpati Didi scheme, aimed at strengthening women's economic independence, and Namo Drone Didi, which is providing rural women opportunities in modern technology and emerging businesses.

Political Representation and the Opposition Charge

On the question of political representation, Vekaria referred to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, passed by both Houses of Parliament in 2023, which provides for 33 per cent representation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Legislative Assemblies, subject to implementation conditions. She alleged that Opposition parties had blocked a recently introduced Bill that would have allowed women to benefit from this reservation from the 2029 general election onwards.

'Congress only talks about empowering women and does not genuinely want to make women partners in building the country's future,' she alleged. The Indian National Congress (INC) has not yet responded to these specific claims.

As Raksha Bandhan approaches, the BJP Mahila Morcha's campaign underscores how political organisations are increasingly mobilising around cultural occasions to reinforce their outreach narratives ahead of electoral cycles.