UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday launched ‘Mission Shakti’ campaign directing to make sure the safety and dignity of women and girls, by giving a serious warning that evil-doer of misdeed against females will be dealt with an iron hand, and this campaign will continue for the next six months till Basant Navratri.
He described women as a symbol of ‘Shakti’ and said gender equality and protection of the girl child should start from home itself, and highlighted that the start of this campaign coincided with the beginning of the Navrati festival devoted to Goddess Durga.
It is also a tribute to the woman who died after being allegedly raped by two men in Balrampur and declared that his government has “zero tolerance” towards crime against women and girls. The 22-year-old woman died after being allegedly raped by two men, who were later arrested, in the district. The incident came close on the heels of the gangrape-murder of another Dalit woman in Hathras that had drawn intense outrage after alleged apathy of the administration.
Mr. Adityanath declared projection of an evil eye on the dignity and self-respect of women will find no place in the state. Evil-doer of such crimes is a blotch on the society.
Reports stated that in this campaign there will be two-phase, the first phase of ‘Mission Shakti’ will focus on spreading awareness towards ensuring the safety and dignity of women and girl-child.
On the other hand, in the second phase, ‘Operation Shakti’ will target eve-teasers and put them on the path of punishment or reform. If such elements do not mend their ways, they will have to face social-boycott and their pictures will be displayed publicly.
The Chief Minister said that this year Ram Lila and Durga Puja pandals will also spread the message of ‘Mission Shakti’, which will have the involvement of 24 departments.
Various events are lined up during the campaign for which 100 role models among women will be identified in each district to help spread the message of women’s safety, self-respect, and self-reliance.
“Women are venerable in our eternal tradition and Navratri signifies this. In these changing times, the new generation should become the carrier of our eternal tradition, which always professes the cause of women as the prime duty of mankind. ‘Mission Shakti’ is a reminder of our duty towards women and girls,” he said.
Mr. Adityanath also expressed his strong views against child marriage, saying such practices should be publicly condemned.
