Yogi Adityanath’s Zero Tolerance Crime Policy is reaping economic dividends for the state

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s assurance to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly that he will “bury the mafia in the ground (mafia ko mitti mein mila dunga)” has once again brought his government’s zero-tolerance policy against crime to the center stage. Since the shooting incident in Prayagraj on February 24, Yogi Adityanath has reiterated on several occasions that culprits will receive exemplary punishment. Such rhetoric by those in power is not new, but since Yogi Adityanath is known for his tough stance on dealing with crime, the entire country is watching his government’s response to the matter.

The issue assumes greater significance because the Yogi government appears to be more effective than previous governments in controlling organized crime in Uttar Pradesh. The strict and consistent actions taken against criminals have earned Chief Minister Yogi the moniker “Bulldozer Baba.” If Yogi has stated in a number of public forums that “those who break the law will either go to jail or hell,” he has proven his point. Since the Yogi government was formed in 2017, the state police have carried out 10,000 encounters and apprehended 178 wanted criminals. On the heads of 160 of these criminals were rewards ranging from 75,000 to 500,000 rupees. Meanwhile, over 23,000 criminals have been imprisoned. Assets worth more than INR 4,400 crore have been seized or destroyed from these criminals.

With these seized assets, schools for girls and homes for the poor are being built. This also sends a positive message to the rest of society. On the one hand, these police actions have increased the sense of security among all segments of society, particularly women, girls, the weaker sections, and businessmen, while on the other, many powerful individuals who had become symbols of lawlessness and fear have been brought to their knees.

The Yogi Adityanath government is dedicated to eliminating mafia activity in Uttar Pradesh, regardless of identity or affiliation. Thanks to the government’s efforts to make criminals understand the consequences of their actions, the state has seen significant improvements in law and order, surpassing any other state in India. Increased pedestrian patrolling, the installation of CCTV cameras in riot-prone areas, and the formation of an Anti-Romeo Squad have all helped to reduce crimes against women. Uttar Pradesh now leads the country in terms of convicted arrested suspects, particularly those involved in crimes against women, cybercrime, confiscation of property, and weapon seizures.

On the ground, this success is visible, as the state remains peaceful even during festivals or elections, and mafias struggle to secure bail while their assets worth crores are seized. Furthermore, once-deserted villages such as Kairana and Kandhla are being repopulated, while rising investment from Hardoi to Hamirpur is laying the groundwork for Uttar Pradesh to become an “Uttam” (excellent) Pradesh.

The two biggest symbols of “zero tolerance” against crime, PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, have also appreciated CM Yogi’s functioning. Improved law and order in the state won rich accolades from the country’s top political and corporate leadership during the recently concluded State Global Investors’ Summit. The Chief Minister credited the UP Police for investment proposals worth 34.09 lakh crore in the state. It was the first investors’ summit at the state level that attracted investments for all of the state’s 75 districts.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s mantra of zero crime and cent percent development has propelled Uttar Pradesh towards the path of peace and development. The state’s unemployment rate has come down from 19.2 in 2015 to just 3.5-4 percent. The government claims to have generated 500,000 jobs during the past 5 years, whereas 1.61 crore youths were given opportunities for self-employment. New expressways, airports, medical colleges, and other infrastructure facilities are rapidly changing the face of the state.

A state’s development ultimately contributes to the country’s progress, and Uttar Pradesh’s contribution in this regard cannot be understated. The state must grow to become a $1 trillion economy in the next 5 years if India has to reach the goal of a $5 trillion economy in the current decade. This obviously can be ensured only if the rule of law prevails in the state. A strong law-and-order is the biggest guarantee of continued investment in Uttar Pradesh.

The Yogi-led government assumed power in Uttar Pradesh in 2017 and has since prioritized law and order in its governance model. Despite allegations of arbitrary and fabricated police encounters, the government has taken necessary measures to improve law and order, such as imposing penalties for damaging government property during riots and demolishing homes of those involved in criminal cases. These strict measures have become a signature of the Yogi government’s policy to maintain law and order in the state, and accusations of human rights violations notwithstanding, these measures have succeeded in restoring security and prosperity, as evidenced by the interest of investors.