Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address at the Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Mahila Sashaktikaran Mahasammelan in Bhopal on May 31, 2025, wove together history, cultural symbolism, and contemporary nationalism. Speaking before 200,000 women on the 300th birth anniversary of the revered 18th-century queen Ahilyabai Holkar, Modi declared: “Sindoor is a symbol of Nari Shakti in our culture, now it represents India’s valour”—linking the traditional vermilion mark to India’s recent military triumph, Operation Sindoor .
Honoring Ahilyabai Holkar: Governance and Empowerment
Modi began by paying floral tributes to Ahilyabai Holkar, unveiling a ₹300 commemorative coin and a postal stamp celebrating her legacy. He highlighted her progressive rule:
- Inclusive Leadership: As queen of the Malwa kingdom, she championed social welfare, built temples, ghats, and dharamshalas, and administered justice with compassion .
- Women-Centric Policies: Her governance model empowered women through education and economic initiatives—a precursor to modern “Nari Shakti” frameworks .
- Inspiration for Modern India: Modi noted her relevance today: “Devi Ahilyabai said true governance means serving the people. This event carries forward her vision” .
Sindoor: From Matrimonial Symbol to Emblem of National Valour
The Prime Minister’s reinterpretation of sindoor (vermilion) ignited the event’s core theme. Traditionally signifying marital commitment, it now embodies India’s military resolve:
- Operation Sindoor’s Resonance: Modi connected the operation—launched after the Pahalgam terror attack (April 2025)—to cultural pride: “Terrorists challenged Nari Shakti; we responded with India’s valour” .
- Civilizational Archetype: Referencing Hindu cosmology, Modi framed the operation as a manifestation of Shakti—divine feminine energy that annihilates evil, akin to Durga or Kali .
- Women in Security: He praised female BSF officers and scientists in ISRO (like Chandrayaan-3’s 100+ women contributors) as modern embodiments of Ahilyabai’s spirit .
Infrastructure and Women-Led Development
Linking heritage to progress, Modi inaugurated projects worth ₹860+ crore, including:
- Indore Metro: Women participated in the first ride, chanting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” .
- Satna and Datia Airports: Enhancing regional connectivity and job creation in Madhya Pradesh .
- Thermal Power Units: The ₹9,330 crore Ghatampur project to boost energy security .
Operation Sindoor: A Testament to Indigenous Strength
Modi reiterated that Operation Sindoor continues, emphasizing its strategic significance:
- Indigenous Military Power: “Brahmos missiles wreaked havoc in Pakistan… showcasing Make in India’s prowess” .
- Principles of Retaliation: India will decide the “time, method, and conditions” of counter-terror responses, ignoring nuclear threats .
- Cultural Unity: The operation united Indians across ideologies, shattering earlier “delusions of peace” with Pakistan .
Criticism and Context
While Modi’s narrative celebrated sindoor as a unifying symbol, critics argue it reduces women to symbolic instruments of nationalist rhetoric . Others note Muslim widows of Pahalgam were omitted from this Hindu-coded discourse .
The Road Ahead: Shakti as National Ethos
Modi’s Bhopal address fused Ahilyabai’s legacy with contemporary sovereignty:
“India’s daughters don’t just wear sindoor—they avenge it.”
By honoring a queen who transformed adversity into governance excellence and linking her to India’s military resolve, the Prime Minister positioned Nari Shakti as India’s civilizational and strategic backbone.
Ahilyabai Holkar × Operation Sindoor: Parallel Visions
| Ahilyabai Holkar (18th Century) | Operation Sindoor (2025) |
|---|---|
| Built inclusive infrastructure | Inaugurated metros/airports boosting women’s mobility |
| Empowered women economically | Highlighted female scientists/soldiers as national icons |
| Governed with compassion | Retaliated against terror with calibrated force |
| Legacy honored via coin/stamp | Cultural symbols redefined as resistance emblems |
As India advances toward “Viksit Bharat,” Modi’s tribute reframes Ahilyabai not as a historical figure, but as a living ideology—where tradition fuels modernity, and sindoor signifies both love and invincibility .
Q1: Why did PM Modi link sindoor to India’s military valour?
A: Modi reinterpreted the traditional vermilion mark (sindoor) as a dual symbol:
1. Cultural Heritage: Historically signifying marital commitment and Nari Shakti (feminine power)
2. National Resolve: Now representing India’s retaliation in Operation Sindoor (2025) against cross-border terror, declaring “Sindoor embodies India’s courage”
Q2: How is Ahilyabai Holkar connected to this event?
A: The speech marked her 300th birth anniversary at Bhopal’s Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Mahila Sashaktikaran Mahasammelan. Modi:
1. Unveiled a ₹300 commemorative coin and postal stamp honoring her
2. Highlighted her 18th-century legacy: women’s empowerment, infrastructure projects, and compassionate governance
3. Framed her as an inspiration for modern Nari Shakti policies