Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that Makar Sankranti is a festival of farmers and they in a way, begin their New Year on this day. Addressing 3rd International Kite Festival- 2026 in New Delhi today, Mr Shah said, Poet Kalidasa used a very beautiful phrase for India, ‘utsav-priya janah,’ meaning that the people of India are fond of festivals. He said, in every season and at all times, people of the country have organised festivals. Mr Shah said, through festivals, the entire society comes together and move forward with a collective vision and Uttarayan is a part of that tradition. 

The Home Minister said, the Simon Commission faced widespread opposition across the country and the slogan ‘Simon Go Back’ became a symbol of the independence movement. He said, the strongest form of protest against the Simon Commission came on Uttarayan, when people across India flew kites with ‘Simon Go Back’ written on them, filling the entire sky and demonstrating their strength to the British.

 

Speaking about Somnath Swabhiman Parv to mark the 1000th anniversary of the first attack on the Somnath temple, Mr Shah said, those who destroyed it are nowhere to be seen on the world map today but the Somnath temple stands proudly in the same place, visible to the entire world. He said, this is a symbol of the eternal nature and immortality of Sanatana Dharma and that the fundamental elements of Indian culture are immortal. 

Mr. Shah extended wishes to all the people of the country, especially the farmers, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri, Magh Bihu and Uttarayan. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta were present at the event.