CM Rekha Gupta Salutes RAF on Raising Day

Key Takeaways

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta extended greetings to Rapid Action Force personnel on RAF Raising Day, October 7, 2026 .

She described the RAF as a 'formidable shield for peace and internal security across the nation.' The Rapid Action Force is a specialised wing of the CRPF , trained for riot control, communal disturbance management, and disaster response.

Raising Day is observed annually to mark the formal establishment of the force, with ceremonies and tributes from officials.

CM Gupta's message emphasised the RAF's role in strengthening both people's security and national unity.

On the occasion of the Rapid Action Force Raising Day, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta extended warm greetings to the force's personnel and their families, honouring the RAF's decades-long role as a frontline shield for internal security across India.

In her post on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, the Chief Minister wrote: 'With courage, discipline and an unflinching sense of duty, the RAF stands as a formidable shield for peace and internal security across the nation.' She closed with a resounding 'Jai Hind,' saluting every member of the force whose service, she said, strengthens both the security of the people and the unity of the nation.

What the RAF does — and why Raising Day matters

The Rapid Action Force is a specialised wing of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), raised specifically to handle communal riots, mass disturbances, and natural disasters. Trained for speed of deployment and minimum-force intervention, the RAF has been a first-responder unit at flashpoints across the country since its inception. Raising Day marks the anniversary of the force's formal establishment and is observed each year with parades, unit-level ceremonies, and tributes from public officials.

The RAF's mandate places it at the intersection of law enforcement and humanitarian response — a combination that makes tributes from elected leaders particularly resonant. Chief Minister Gupta's message underscores the political acknowledgment of internal security forces at a time when such forces operate in increasingly complex environments.

Point of View

The gesture also signals cooperative intent with the Union government's security apparatus. While ceremonial in tone, such tributes keep the political conversation anchored on security competence — an issue that has historically favoured the BJP in urban electoral contests. The RAF's dual role in riot control and disaster relief gives the tribute cross-ideological resonance, making it a low-risk, high-visibility statement.

NationPress

7 Oct 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is RAF Raising Day and when is it celebrated?

RAF Raising Day marks the anniversary of the formal establishment of the Rapid Action Force, observed on October 7 each year with parades, unit ceremonies, and tributes from political leaders and officials.

What is the Rapid Action Force (RAF) in India?

The Rapid Action Force (RAF) is a specialised wing of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) , trained to respond swiftly to communal riots, mass disturbances, and natural disasters with a minimum-force approach.

Why did Delhi CM Rekha Gupta post about RAF Raising Day?

As Delhi Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta extended greetings to honour the RAF's personnel and their families, recognising the force's contribution to internal security and national unity on its annual Raising Day.

What did CM Rekha Gupta say about the RAF?

CM Gupta called the RAF a 'formidable shield for peace and internal security,' praising the force's courage, discipline, and unflinching sense of duty in her October 7, 2026 post.

Who controls the Rapid Action Force — the Delhi government or the Centre?

The Rapid Action Force is under the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) , which is a central paramilitary organisation controlled by the Union Home Ministry , not state governments.