Pune: Devadasi Women Celebrate Raksha Bandhan, Tie Rakhis to Police and Activists for Safety Promise
Pune, 9th August 2025: In a moving and symbolic gesture, devadasi women from Pune’s Budhwar Peth observed Raksha Bandhan on Monday by tying rakhis to police officers and social workers, seeking a lifelong commitment of protection.
The celebration was organised by Vande Mataram Sanghatana, Sanyukt Yuva Phoenix Society Trust, Veer Hanuman Mitra Mandal, and the Akhil Budhwar Peth Devadasi Sanstha. Along with the rakhi ceremony, the women received gifts such as sweet boxes, blouse pieces, and LCD writing tablets for their children from the dignitaries present.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Krishikesh Rawale, who participated in the event, assured the women that their safety would remain a priority. “Today’s celebration was not just about tying a rakhi—it was about creating a sacred bond. We have pledged that if they face any trouble in the future, the police will be there to help them,” he said.
Sachin Jamge, president of Vande Mataram Sanghatana, shared that his group has been celebrating Raksha Bandhan with devadasi women for over two decades. “These women, often isolated by society and unable to visit their brothers, find in us someone to call ‘brother’ on this day. It’s about giving them a sense of belonging,” he explained.
The women expressed heartfelt appreciation for the gesture. “When respected people tie rakhis, it feels like we truly have someone who cares. Despite the stigma we live with, such moments bring happiness. All we want is for our brothers to protect us,” one of them said.
