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Around 500 women gathered in Amritsar on Monday for the city’s first-ever public observance of Raksha Sutra, an event hosted by the Himalaya Parivar, an organisation linked to the RSS. Framed as a celebration of social unity and traditional values, the programme arrives as political activity in Punjab picks up ahead of the next state assembly contest.
Organisers said participants tied rakhis and took part in cultural rituals meant to emphasise mutual respect and community bonds. The event, held in a prominent public venue, combined ceremonial elements with speeches from senior group leaders.
Who attended and what was said
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Leaders from Himalaya Parivar addressed the gathering; among those present were the group’s regional and national office-bearers and Indresh Kumar, who serves as a patron and is also part of the RSS’s national executive. Local organisers described the occasion as a milestone for their outreach work in Amritsar.
- Attendance: about 500 women, according to organisers
- Main message: promotion of social harmony, brotherhood and cultural values
- Key figures: regional and national Himalaya Parivar leaders and Indresh Kumar
- Organiser’s stance: the programme is part of sustained social and cultural activity guided by the RSS
- Next steps: organisers plan similar events across other parts of Punjab
Mohit Arora, who heads Himalaya Parivar’s Punjab unit, said the initiative was intended to be more than a ritual: it was presented as a means to reinforce communal ties and respect across communities. The group described the Amritsar event as its first formal Raksha Sutra observance in the city.
Political observers and party sources note the timing of such cultural outreach is significant. With the BJP intensifying organisational work ahead of the Punjab assembly elections, events run by RSS-affiliated groups are being watched as a way to deepen grassroots connections and engage new constituencies.
Why this matters now
For voters, a string of culture-focused programmes can signal a campaign approach that leans on community ties rather than conventional rallies. For parties and affiliated organisations, these gatherings are opportunities to expand contact lists, strengthen local networks and sustain visibility between formal election cycles.
Himalaya Parivar officials said similar social and nation-oriented programmes will be rolled out across the state in the coming weeks. Local civic groups and political watchers will likely track whether that activity translates into broader public support or shifts in on-the-ground political dynamics.
