National Unity Day to mark end of Naxalism, promote drug-free India

The National Unity Day celebrations at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat will accommodate 25,000 people this year, with around 5,000 participants from 126 Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts expected to attend the October 31 event, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan said on Wednesday. He added that a drug-free India would be a key theme of this year's celebrations.The event, held annually to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, will focus on strengthening national unity and highlighting his contribution to India's unification and the establishment of a strong administrative framework.
Addressing a conference in New Delhi, Mohan said preparations for this year's celebrations began around four months in advance, compared with the usual two to two-and-a-half months, as organisers introduced new elements to expand participation and outreach.He said the initiative to bring around 5,000 people from 126 LWE-affected districts aims to strengthen national unity by enabling participants from different parts of the country to travel together, interact and visit places in Gujarat.

#WATCH | Delhi | Briefing on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026 and Bharat Parv 2026 celebrations to be held Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan says, "At the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026, the first and foremost thing is the celebration of the end of Naxalism. All the CAPFs and the State Police forces will march before PM Modi during the parade. After the parade, over 2000 artists from 126 districts which were once affected by armed naxalism will present live performance of what they went throught went naxalism was rampant. Around 5000 people from 126 districts will be invited to the event from various districts on this occasion. These 5000 people are from those districts where Naxalism was rampant at the time."

— ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2026

Mohan said previous editions of the event had attracted around 1,500 to 2,000 people, partly due to limited seating capacity and a lack of publicity outside Gujarat. This year, arrangements have been made for 25,000 people, with an online registration facility allowing visitors to register, book accommodation and attend the celebrations.Around 5,000 to 6,000 people had already registered online and made bookings, including many from outside Gujarat, he said, expressing hope that more people would visit Ekta Nagar for the event.
The cultural programme will bring together people who have lived in Gujarat for generations but originally belong to other parts of the country. Performances will include cultural elements from different regions, including Kerala, with dance forms such as Kuchipudi and Mohiniyattam, alongside other presentations and a play.A total of 15 tableaux will be showcased during the celebrations, including five based on national themes and 10 highlighting Gujarat. The five tableaux depicting national themes were selected through a national-level competition, Mohan said.
Clarifying the significance of the occasion, the Home Secretary said National Unity Day was not intended to compete with Republic Day, as the two events served different purposes.While Republic Day marks the coming into force of the Constitution and showcases India's military capabilities, National Unity Day primarily celebrates the contributions of police forces through cultural performances, drills and brass band displays, he said.
Mohan added that this year's celebrations would also mark the end of Left-Wing Extremism, while national unity would remain the central theme.He also highlighted a motorcycle rally being organised as part of the celebrations, with participation from all 36 states and Union territories and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). Each state, Union territory and police organisation is launching, or has already launched, a contingent of 45 motorcycle riders.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah flagged off the rally in New Delhi on Wednesday. The initiative carries the message of a drug-free India, Mohan said, adding that Shah had urged police forces to remain engaged in the campaign over the next three years and work towards achieving the goal by 2029.Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, or National Unity Day, is observed every year on October 31 to commemorate Patel's birth anniversary and honour his role in India's national and political integration. The day was first observed in 2014 following a decision by the Central government to recognise his contribution to nation-building.
In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative during the National Unity Day celebrations to promote sustained interaction and understanding among people from different regions of the country. Since then, central ministries, state governments, educational institutions and youth organisations have participated in activities aimed at strengthening cultural ties and promoting unity in diversity.

(Freelance Journalist)