Smriti Irani Greets CRPF on 87th Raising Day
Synopsis
BJP leader Smriti Irani on 27 July 2026 extended Raising Day greetings to CRPF personnel, honouring the force's 87 years of service in internal security, counter-insurgency, and national crisis response.
Key Takeaways
Smriti Irani , senior BJP leader and former Union Minister, greeted CRPF personnel on their Raising Day, 27 July 2026 .
The CRPF was originally constituted on 27 July 1939 as the Crown Representative's Police, making this its 87th Raising Day .
Irani's message highlighted the force's role in 'safeguarding internal security' and 'serving the nation in times of crisis.' The CRPF is India's largest central armed police force, deployed in Jammu & Kashmir , Left Wing Extremism -affected regions, the Northeast , and disaster relief operations.
The tribute is part of a consistent pattern of political leaders publicly acknowledging paramilitary contributions on raising days.
BJP leader Smriti Irani on Monday, 27 July 2026 extended greetings to the personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on the occasion of the force's Raising Day, saluting their courage, resilience, and sense of duty in safeguarding the nation's internal security.
Context
The CRPF marks its Raising Day on 27 July every year, commemorating the date in 1939 when the force was constituted as the Crown Representative's Police under British administration. After Independence, it was renamed the Central Reserve Police Force and placed under the Ministry of Home Affairs. This year marks the force's 87th Raising Day.
In her post on X, Irani wrote: 'Greetings to the brave personnel of CRPF on CRPF Raising Day. From safeguarding internal security to serving the nation in times of crisis, your courage, resilience and unwavering sense of duty continue to inspire the nation. The nation salutes your sacrifice and remains forever grateful for your service.'
Policy Backdrop
The CRPF is India's largest central armed police force, with deployments spanning counter-Naxal operations in the Left Wing Extremism-affected heartland, law-and-order duties in Jammu & Kashmir, counter-insurgency roles in the Northeast, and disaster relief operations across the country. The force forms a critical pillar of the central government's internal security architecture, supplementing state police forces in situations beyond their capacity.
Political leaders across party lines routinely issue public tributes to central armed police forces on their respective raising days, a practice that underscores the broad consensus on acknowledging paramilitary contributions to national security. Smriti Irani, as a senior BJP leader and former Union Minister who has held the portfolios of Women & Child Development and Minority Affairs, has maintained an active public presence on matters of national importance.
Stakeholders and Impact
The CRPF's personnel and their families are the primary stakeholders of such public acknowledgements, which carry symbolic weight in recognising the personal sacrifices made by paramilitary forces in often high-risk operational environments. The force's mandate places its personnel in some of the country's most sensitive and conflict-prone zones, frequently at considerable personal risk.
The broader community of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) — which includes the BSF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB — also benefits from the sustained public and political attention that Raising Day tributes generate, keeping their contributions visible in national discourse.
What's Next
Similar tributes from political leaders are expected on the forthcoming raising days of other central forces, including the BSF on 1 December and the CISF. Parliamentary discussions on CAPF modernisation, welfare measures, and recruitment are anticipated to feature in the upcoming winter session of Parliament, where the operational and budgetary needs of these forces are periodically reviewed.
Point of View
Particularly as debates on CAPF modernisation and personnel welfare periodically surface in Parliament. The tribute also arrives at a moment when the CRPF's operational footprint — spanning counter-Naxal zones, Jammu & Kashmir, and disaster response — remains as broad as ever, keeping the force's public salience high. For a leader no longer in a ministerial role, such engagements serve to maintain visibility on national security issues.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is CRPF Raising Day celebrated?
CRPF Raising Day is celebrated every year on 27 July , marking the date in 1939 when the force was constituted as the Crown Representative's Police under British administration.
What did Smriti Irani say about CRPF on Raising Day 2026?
Smriti Irani extended greetings to CRPF personnel, praising their 'courage, resilience and unwavering sense of duty' and stating that 'the nation salutes your sacrifice and remains forever grateful for your service.'
What is the role of CRPF in India?
The CRPF is India's largest central armed police force, responsible for internal security, counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast , counter-Naxal operations, and disaster relief support across the country.
Which ministry controls the CRPF?
The CRPF functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs , Government of India, and is deployed to assist state police forces in maintaining law and order and handling internal security situations.
How old is the CRPF in 2026?
In 2026 , the CRPF completes 87 years since its founding on 27 July 1939 .
