CM Rekha Gupta Salutes CRPF on Its Raising Day
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday, 27 July 2026, extended warm greetings to all personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on the occasion of the force's Raising Day, honouring their courage in safeguarding the nation's internal security.
Posting on X in Hindi, the Chief Minister invoked the CRPF's motto 'Seva evam Nishtha' ('Service and Dedication'), saying the force's 'indomitable valour and unwavering commitment' in campaigns against Naxalism and extremism were 'incomparable'. She added that 'every citizen of the country is proud of your sense of duty and bravery.'
Context
The CRPF was originally raised on 27 July 1939 as the Crown Representative's Police under British administration. After independence, it was renamed the Central Reserve Police Force in 1949 and has since grown into India's largest Central Armed Police Force, with a mandate covering internal security, counter-insurgency, and election duty across the country.
Raising Day observances are marked annually across CRPF establishments nationwide, with parades, ceremonial events, and tributes to personnel who have fallen in the line of duty.
Policy Backdrop
The CRPF has been at the forefront of the Indian government's sustained campaign against Left Wing Extremism (LWE), commonly referred to as Naxalism, which has remained active in parts of central and eastern India for decades. The Ministry of Home Affairs formalised a coordinated anti-LWE strategy under the SAMADHAN framework in 2017, integrating security operations with development initiatives in affected districts.
Successive central governments have deployed dedicated CRPF battalions in LWE-affected states, and the force has also played a critical role in counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast, as well as in maintaining order in sensitive regions such as Jammu and Kashmir.
Stakeholders and Impact
The CRPF's operational footprint directly affects communities in LWE-affected districts across states such as Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha, where the force's presence has been central to restoring civilian normalcy. The message from the Delhi Chief Minister reflects a broader political consensus across parties in publicly acknowledging the sacrifices of Central Armed Police Forces.
For CRPF personnel and their families, such institutional recognition on Raising Day carries significance beyond ceremony, affirming the force's role in the national security architecture.
What's Next
Attention will remain on progress reports from anti-Naxal operations in affected states and any upcoming statements from the Ministry of Home Affairs on CRPF modernisation, force expansion, or welfare measures for personnel. The Raising Day period often coincides with renewed public and parliamentary focus on the state of internal security across India.