Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav launched a fierce critique against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government in Uttar Pradesh on Monday. He asserted that the law and order situation has completely collapsed, with the state emerging as the nation's worst performer in crimes targeting women.
Zero Tolerance Policy Exists Only on Paper: SP Chief
In a hard-hitting statement, the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh claimed that incidents of violence, harassment, and sexual crimes against women are reported daily from every corner of the state. "Whether it is east or west, north or south, atrocities against sisters, daughters, and mothers are happening every day," Yadav stated. He accused the ruling BJP of confining its much-publicised "zero tolerance" policy against crime to mere paperwork, with no effective implementation on the ground.
Yadav alleged that the police force has become "unrestrained" under the current administration, operating at the peak of corruption. He claimed that criminals and anti-social elements are now operating without fear, committing offences openly. "The police and administration function under pressure from BJP leaders. As a result, justice is denied to common citizens," he charged, adding that even Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's home district, Gorakhpur, is not immune to such crimes.
Specific Cases Cited as Examples of Larger Pattern
The SP leader pointed to recent incidents to substantiate his allegations. He referred to an alleged case in Rampur where a student was reportedly molested and an attempt was made to rape her inside a car. He also mentioned repeated incidents of harassment reported from Basti. Yadav emphasized that these cases were not isolated but indicative of a widespread and alarming pattern of violence against women across Uttar Pradesh.
"There is no effective control over crimes against women. Uttar Pradesh today ranks number one in such offences," he alleged, questioning the government's claims of improved safety.
Institutional Mechanisms Weakened, Says Opposition Leader
Extending his criticism, Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP government of systematically weakening institutional frameworks designed for women's protection. He recalled the launch of the women's helpline 1090 during the previous SP regime, which was intended to provide immediate police assistance to women with a single phone call. "That effective service has been ruined under the BJP govt," he claimed.
His critique went beyond women's safety to encompass a broader breakdown of order. Yadav alleged a sharp increase in all forms of crime and illegal trade under the present regime. "From top to bottom, the narcotics trade has spread. It appears that the slogan of zero tolerance against crime itself is intoxicated and lying somewhere unused," he remarked pointedly.
He further claimed that criminal and mafia networks are operating "poisonous" illegal businesses under political patronage, while the police and administration act as mute spectators. According to him, neither women, nor youth, nor traders feel safe in Uttar Pradesh today.
Confidence in Electoral Change in 2027
Accusing the BJP government of "ruining" the state, Akhilesh Yadav asserted that public anger is mounting steadily. He expressed strong confidence that the people of Uttar Pradesh will seek a change in the 2027 state elections. "The people of UP will remove the BJP govt in 2027 and free the state from crime and drugs," he said, positioning his party as the alternative to restore law, order, and social security.
