Navratri Begins: Shivraj Chouhan and Other Leaders Urge Respect for Women

When the first night of Sharadiya Navratri was lit up with lamps and devotional songs, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stood before the ancient Kankali Mandir in Bhopal, offering his prayers and a message that resonated beyond the temple walls.

“If we only chant the Goddess’s name but keep disrespect for our own daughters and sisters, the Mother herself will turn away,” he told reporters, his words hanging heavy in the cool October air. It was a simple reminder, yet one that felt strikingly urgent amid the festive fervour.

Navratri, the nine‑night celebration of Goddess Durga’s power, is a time when India’s streets fill with garba drums, dandiya sticks clack, and families fast together. Each night honours a different facet of the divine feminine – strength, compassion, wisdom. This year, many leaders chose the occasion to pair their greetings with a call for gender‑respect.

In Rajasthan, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, accompanied by his wife, visited the Maa Raj Rajeshwari Temple inside the CM’s residence. He performed the traditional aarti, then spoke about the need to safeguard women’s rights, echoing the sentiment that the Goddess’s blessings are inseparable from real‑world dignity for women.

Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made a morning pilgrimage to the historic Maa Pateshwari Devi temple in Balrampur’s Tulsipur area. While offering flowers, he reminded devotees that the spirit of Navratri teaches “strength, restraint and service” – values that must extend to how we treat every woman in our society.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, meanwhile, took to X (formerly Twitter) with his usual mix of optimism and cultural nods: “Heartiest greetings on Navratri, a festival that celebrates divine power. May Mother Jagadamba bring happiness, peace, prosperity and good health to all, strengthening our unity and progress.” He added a subtle hint that the nation’s forward march rests on honoring the very mother‑figures we worship.

Home Minister Amit Shah also sent his wishes, noting that the nine forms of the Goddess teach “strength, restraint and service.” He urged citizens to let those lessons shape everyday interactions, especially with women.

Across the country, millions flocked to temples, sang bhajans, and danced the night away, but the underlying theme was clear: Navratri isn’t just about colourful attire and rhythmic steps; it’s a mirror reflecting how society values its women.

As the festival proceeds, the hope is that the minister’s words won’t fade with the last garland. Instead, they might linger, prompting families to pause, look at their daughters, sisters, mothers, and ask: are we truly living the respect the Goddess embodies?

With each night’s rituals, Navratri offers a fresh chance to align reverence with reality – to make sure that the divine feminine we celebrate on the altar also thrives in our homes and streets.