In his address, Shri Amit Shah recalled how Mahatma Gandhi used Khadi as a weapon of economic and social empowerment during the freedom movement.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah participated as the Chief Guest at the Khadi Karigar Mahotsav in Rohtak, Haryana, where he reaffirmed the central role of Khadi in India’s freedom movement and its renewed significance in the nation’s march towards self-reliance and Viksit Bharat@2047.
The event witnessed the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini, Union Minister of State for Cooperation Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, Union Minister Shri Rao Inderjit Singh, and several dignitaries, reflecting strong political and social support for the Khadi movement.
In his address, Shri Amit Shah recalled how Mahatma Gandhi used Khadi as a weapon of economic and social empowerment during the freedom movement. “Khadi became the cornerstone of Swadeshi, eradicating poverty, creating self-reliance, and igniting a revolution among millions of weavers,” he said.
He lamented that after independence, Khadi was largely neglected by successive governments. However, when Shri Narendra Modi was Gujarat’s Chief Minister, he revived Khadi’s importance and, later as Prime Minister, popularised it through his Mann Ki Baat programme.
The results have been striking:
Shri Shah stressed that with modern packaging, branding, and marketing, Khadi has been repositioned not only as a symbol of nationalism but also as a viable product for global fashion.
During the Mahotsav, a series of initiatives were rolled out to strengthen Khadi and rural industries:
These initiatives aim to generate self-employment, promote rural industries, and enhance production capacity in line with government policies.
Shri Shah underlined that Swaraj at independence was incomplete without Swadeshi and Swabhasha, and the same holds true for India’s future. He praised traders across the country who have voluntarily pledged to remove foreign goods from their shops.
“Prime Minister Modi Ji has urged citizens to use indigenous products. The call for Swadeshi is not just economic but also cultural — it strengthens our villages and ensures prosperity for every family in rural India,” he said.
Highlighting Prime Minister Modi’s people-centric governance, Shri Shah said GST has been reduced to zero or 5% on over 395 essential items, directly benefiting poor households, particularly women. He linked this policy with the broader aim of self-reliance, inclusive growth, and rural empowerment.
Shri Shah explained that Khadi has been integrated with beekeeping, leatherwork, and pure household product industries, thereby expanding livelihood opportunities. The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has advanced the slogan “Khadi for Nation, Khadi for Fashion”, appealing to both tradition and modern lifestyle.
On wool sector revival, he noted that India has five Central Wool Plants, of which three have been renovated. Renovation work on the remaining two is underway, which will rejuvenate the wool industry and benefit millions of weavers.
The Union Home Minister made a direct appeal to all citizens, urging every family to purchase Khadi worth at least ₹5,000 annually. He said: “Khadi not only strengthens the economy but also benefits the poor, promotes health, and uplifts the nation. If every family supports Khadi, India will achieve true self-reliance.”
Shri Amit Shah concluded by linking Khadi with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a fully developed India by 2047, stating that Khadi and Swadeshi will play a pivotal role in achieving global leadership for India.
He reminded the gathering that Khadi is more than fabric — it is a symbol of self-employment, rural industry, equality, and dignity, carrying forward Gandhi’s legacy into modern India’s economic resurgence.
