Mumbai: In a compassionate gesture, Congress leader and former Minister of State for Home, Arif Naseem Khan, celebrated Raksha Bandhan by tying rakhis with women from the red-light area, continuing his yearly tradition of standing in solidarity with marginalized communities. Khan also gifted sarees to the women as part of the celebration.
Organised under the banner of the Devasi Foundation, led by President Hira Devasi, the event also focused on education for the next generation. Cheques of ₹5,000 each were distributed to 200 children for their school fees, along with school bags, study materials, and other essentials.
The program was attended by senior Congress leaders, including AICC National General Secretary and Assam in-charge Shri Bhawar Jitendra Singh, MPCC President Harshvardhan Sakpal, Mumbai Congress Executive President Charan Singh Sapra, MPCC General Secretary Rajendra Bhonsle, senior leader Bhawar Singh Rajpurohit, Mumbai Congress General Secretary Hira Devasi, spokesperson Nizamuddin Raheen, Dr. Ramesh Devasi, among others.
Speaking on the occasion, Khan said the celebration was not just about tradition, but also about empowering vulnerable sections of society through education and dignity.
