Varanasi, September 9, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday warned “goons” and “mafias” that anyone posing a threat to the safety of women in the state would have to choose between “jail or hell”.
Adityanath made the remarks while addressing an event in Varanasi organised to felicitate working women.
Crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi with giving global recognition to Varanasi, the Chief Minister said, “Kashi is the foundation for all the developmental works carried out across the country, under PM Modi’s leadership in the past 12 years.”
He said nearly one lakh projects were either underway or had been completed in Varanasi.
Referring to the situation before 2017, Adityanath said people were concerned about the safety of their daughters while sending them to school, while women faced difficulties due to the absence of toilets at home. He also cited concerns over income, roads, connectivity, healthcare and employment opportunities during the previous government’s tenure.
He said the BJP’s “double engine” government had created a system focused not only on launching schemes but also on ensuring that their benefits reached people by removing implementation barriers.
The Chief Minister highlighted “Mission Shakti” as the foundation of the state government’s efforts to strengthen women’s safety. He said women police personnel had been deployed and an integrated women beat system had been established across Uttar Pradesh.
Adityanath said the government had sought mandatory 20 per cent female recruitment in the state police force. According to him, the number of women police personnel has increased from around 10,000 in 2017 to 44,000 and is expected to reach 50,000 soon.
He also said three women police battalions of the Pradeshik Armed Constabulary (PAC) were being established in Badaun, Lucknow and Gorakhpur, with all three named after women warriors.
Highlighting women-oriented welfare and education initiatives, Adityanath said more than five lakh girls had been married under the Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana. He recalled that the scheme had initially faced criticism from Samajwadi Party leaders.
He said Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalayas, which earlier offered education from Classes 6 to 8, had now been extended up to Class 12. Seats had also been reserved for girls in Sainik schools, he added.
The Chief Minister announced that girl students who top the Board examinations would be provided scooters under a scheme named after Rani Lakshmibai.
He further said that under “Project Ganga”, a digital entrepreneur would be appointed at the Panchayat level in every village to help implement government schemes and create employment opportunities. The programme, he said, aims to create 4,000 women entrepreneurs.
Adityanath also claimed that the participation of women in Uttar Pradesh’s workforce had risen from 12 per cent to 36 per cent, with women being given opportunities in manufacturing, banking and the service sectors.
Referring to the Nari Shakti Vandhan Adhiniyam (Amendment) Bill, he said that if passed, women could account for one-third of representatives in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies by 2029.
Taking aim at opposition parties, Adityanath alleged that some leaders would try to divide society but would avoid taking action against mafias.
He concluded his warning to criminals by saying that those who attempted to interfere with the safety of women would have to choose between “jail or hell”.
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