Lucknow, September 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday claimed that law and order had deteriorated sharply in the state before 2017, alleging that mafia groups operated parallel systems of power and that “One District, One Mafia” had become Uttar Pradesh’s identity.
Addressing the two-day UP Textile Conclave-2026, Adityanath welcomed entrepreneurs, investors, exporters, traditional weavers, handloom operators, industry representatives and young people associated with the textile sector.
Highlighting Uttar Pradesh’s long textile tradition, the Chief Minister said the state had historically contributed to India’s cultural and economic development. Referring to accounts in ancient texts, he said silk and pure cotton garments were mentioned in connection with the King of Kashi presenting clothing at Yudhishthira’s Rajasuya Yagya. He also referred to religious scriptures mentioning Mata Janaki receiving divine garments at a sage’s ashram during Lord Ram’s exile.
Adityanath said Indian textiles, including those produced in Uttar Pradesh, had historically found markets outside the country, including in Roman and Greek societies.
He highlighted Varanasi’s silk sarees, Bhadohi’s carpets, Lucknow’s chikankari and Kanpur’s textile, leather and industrial manufacturing sectors as examples of the state’s diverse textile ecosystem. He also cited Agra’s footwear industry, Sitapur’s textile manufacturing capabilities and Meerut’s sports goods sector and potential in technical textiles.
Turning to the state’s pre-2017 situation, the Chief Minister alleged that mafia groups had established parallel systems of governance in several districts.
He claimed criminal activities including murder, extortion, illegal occupation, “goon tax” and kidnapping had flourished, while professional criminals and mafia groups operated outside the formal government system.
Adityanath further alleged that the situation affected women, traders and prospective investors, claiming that investors were allegedly subjected to demands for money by mafia groups.
He also alleged that frequent disturbances and riots disrupted festivals and celebrations, referring to incidents in Bareilly, Kosi Kalan in Mathura, Muzaffarnagar and Saharanpur.
According to the Chief Minister, prolonged curfews and the closure of schools, colleges and markets affected economic activity. He said the resulting environment created a negative perception of Uttar Pradesh and hindered economic growth.
Adityanath also cited poor roads and inadequate lighting in parts of the state as contributing to the negative image of Uttar Pradesh before 2017.
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