Delhi CM Gupta hails Arya Samaj’s role in social reform, nation-building

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday lauded the Arya Samaj’s 150-year-long contribution to social reform, women’s empowerment, and nation-building while attending the organisation’s foundation day celebrations at Talkatora Indoor Stadium.

Describing Arya Samaj as an “institution of personality development”, the CM said it had played a pivotal role in instilling values and guiding generations towards becoming responsible citizens and nation-builders. “Arya Samaj’s work in character development and social upliftment is unmatched,” she said.

The event also saw the presence of Delhi Cabinet minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa. Both leaders praised the enduring relevance of the teachings of Swami Dayanand Saraswati, founder of Arya Samaj, particularly in challenging social evils and promoting progressive thinking.

Gupta highlighted the organisation’s historic role in India’s freedom struggle and said the rangoli displayed at the venue, chronicling Arya Samaj’s 150-year journey, was a reminder of its deep-rooted impact — from the Independence movement to modern-day reforms.

She especially acknowledged Arya Samaj’s emphasis on women’s education and safety, saying it laid the foundation for initiatives such as ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’. “The reason lakhs of women today are in leadership roles is because of the early groundwork laid by Arya Samaj in advocating gender equality,” the CM said.

Recognising the global reach of Arya Samaj in the fields of education and healthcare, she said the values imparted by its institutions were vital in shaping the future of India. “These values not only promote responsible citizenship but also nurture tomorrow’s leaders,” she added.