“Should we garland criminals, if not shoot them”, CM asks

Lucknow : Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the development achievements of the double-engine government while discussing the supplementary budget in the state assembly. He also sharply criticized the Samajwadi Party (SP) over law and order issues.

He pointed out that SP leaders are implicated in serious cases, including the rape of a young girl in Ayodhya and the murder of a lawyer in Hardoi. The suspect in the Ayodhya case has connections with an MP. In contrast, the Hardoi suspect is a former SP district president with a history of numerous cases filed against him during SP rule from 2012 to 2017.

The CM described these individuals as a blight on society, asserting that improving conditions in Uttar Pradesh will be challenging until this blight is addressed. He questioned whether such criminals should be honoured or dealt with severely.

The Chief Minister referenced NCRB data from 2016 to 2024 to underline the importance of upholding the rule of law.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the significant reduction in crime rates in Uttar Pradesh by presenting NCRB statistics and comparing figures from 2016 to 2024. He noted an 86.47% decrease in dacoity, 78.17% in theft, 43.21% in murder, 67.42% in riots, 4.31% in housebreaking, and 70% in kidnapping for ransom. The CM also addressed crimes against women, reporting a 17.43% reduction in dowry deaths, 25.30% in rape, 16.56% in molestation, and a 0.17% decrease in kidnapping.

He emphasized that Uttar Pradesh has seen a considerable decline in crimes against women from 2017 to 2022 compared to the national average.

Crime rates in Telangana, Odisha, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Maharashtra increased more than in UP during this period. In terms of rape, more crimes were committed in Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand than in UP during this period. Specifically, UP ranks 24th in terms of rape cases.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the increased enforcement measures under the current government compared to 2016. In 2024, actions have risen by 4.45% under the Arms Act, 14.98% under the NDPS Act, 57.95% under the Excise Act, 70.69% under the Goonda Act, and 15.81% under the Gangster Act. These measures reflect the state government’s commitment to addressing crime.

The Chief Minister also criticized Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders during his remarks on the Ayodhya case. He accused SP leader Moin Khan of being involved in the rape of a 12-year-old girl from a highly marginalized caste. Khan, an active SP member and part of the Ayodhya MP’s team, has not faced any action from the party. CM Adityanath condemned the SP’s inaction, asserting that such behavior tarnishes the party’s reputation.

Additionally, CM Adityanath condemned former SP district president Virendra Yadav, who is implicated in a recent tragedy in Hardoi. Yadav, who has 28 criminal cases against him, was previously involved in a public murder and has a long history of criminal activity dating back to 1989. Despite being subject to various legal provisions, including the UP Goonda Act, Yadav’s criminal record stains society.

The CM emphasized that improving the situation in Uttar Pradesh will remain a challenge unless such individuals are firmly dealt with.