Uttar Pradesh holds immense significance due to its rich culture, heritage, and historical significance. The soil of Uttar Pradesh is soaked in blood and sweat as it has witnessed many historical events, making it a region filled with challenges and profound importance.
It has been pivotal in shaping the country, producing notable leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. However, Yogi Adityanath has changed the fate of the state in recent years, both positive & negative.
So, let's explore the impact of this monk’s reign that changed UP.
Yogi Adityanath Autobiography: The Journey of a Monk
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Ajay Singh Bisht, popularly known as “Yogi Adityanath”, was born on 5th June 1972 and was decent in his studies; he took maths (Hons) before abandoning everything to join the historic Ayodhya movement. He eventually became the saffron-robed monk who changed UP forever.
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Yogi was a disciple of Mahant Avaidyanath and was declared his successor in 1994. At the age of 26 in 1998, Yogi Adityanath became the youngest MP.
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In 2002, he founded Hindu Yuva Vahini, a Hindu religious group which is booked for communal violence on various occasions. Yogi himself was charged with criminal charges and jailed in 2007.
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There is no iota of doubt that Yogi is a controversial figure when it comes to his ideology and speeches but is also termed as the monk who crafted his image as a “No Non-Sense CM” when it comes to statesmanship and the welfare of its people
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Yogi has a record of 5 consecutive wins from Gorakhpur in the Lok Sabha elections.
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It was the year 2017 that ignited the spark of revolution in Uttar Pradesh when Yogi Adityanath was crowned as the CM of Uttar Pradesh, which left the nation stunned.
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Yogi grabbed this opportunity with open hands and was active in his style with action plans like Anti Romeo Squads to ensure women’s safety, Gav Raksha Abhiyan and strict action against Love-Jihad.
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His stringent measures against notorious gangsters earned him the reputation of the most powerful CM the state has ever witnessed.
Uttar Pradesh Before Yogi as CM
Since independence, the state has maintained a dominant role within India. It has given the country several Prime Ministers, including Jawaharlal Nehru; Nehru’s daughter, Indira Gandhi; and Atal Bihari Vajpayee of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
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BJP came into power in 1991 and formed subsequent governments independently and in coalition.
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But due to large-scale controversies sprouting out of the Ram mandir issue, BJP also lost its support base in the state of UP, paving the way for SP and BSP to remain in power until recently when in 2017, BJP again surged to power with Yogi Adityanath as its Chief ministerial candidate.
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Yogi Adityanath became the leader of Uttar Pradesh in February 2017. The Supreme Court of India ended the Ayodhya Dispute in 2019. On 5th August 2020, a ceremony marked the start of building the Ram Janmabhoomi temple.
Is Yogi Adityanath's term an advantage or a liability to UP?
Appreciation faced by Yogi as CM
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With the arrival of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh witnessed a significant shift in its governance and development strategies. The government focused on promoting economic growth, attracting investments, and improving infrastructure.
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Yogi’s reign in Uttar Pradesh has significantly reduced crime rates with effective policy-making and administrative decisions.
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Initiatives such as the “One District, One Product” scheme aimed to revive traditional industries and promote entrepreneurship at the grassroots level. This plan is also considered the master plan of Yogi Adityanath to convert UP into a “Mega Export Hub.”
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Yogi Adityanath’s tenure also prioritised law and order, with a firm stance against criminal activities. Special task forces were set up to tackle organised crime, resulting in a noticeable decline in criminal incidents. The government emphasised women’s safety and welfare initiatives to create a more inclusive and secure society.
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Moreover, the administration focused on addressing social disparities, providing equal opportunities for marginalised communities, and implementing welfare schemes to uplift the underprivileged sections of society.
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Mafia Raj in UP: Striving for Order amidst Organized Crime, Uttar Pradesh has grappled with the menace of organised crime, commonly called Mafia Raj. The state government has taken proactive measures to curb these criminal activities and restore law and order. Explore the efforts made to dismantle the Mafia Raj and the challenges encountered in creating a safer environment for the citizens of Uttar Pradesh.
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The King in the North: Amidst Yogi Adityanath’s rule, his strong leadership and unwavering dedication have earned him the title “The King in the North.” This signature reflects his influence and power as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Yogi’s assertive actions, such as forming of Anti-Romeo Squads to ensure women’s safety and the crackdown on organised crime, have bolstered his image as a powerful and decisive leader.
Criticism faced by Yogi as CM
“Mafia Ko Mitti Mein Mila Denge”, were the words of Yogi Adityanath in the ongoing session in the UP assembly when asked about his plans on countering mafia raj in Uttar Pradesh. Now we all know what were the events that followed. The controversial deaths and encounters of Vikas Dubey, Asad and many others indicate the alarming situation of Law and Order. The recent death of Sandeep Maheshwari Jeeva in Lucknow Courtroom has sparked the question of gross negligence on the part of police authorities
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The UP Police have eliminated 182 alleged gangsters and their gang members between March 2017 to April 2023, but is this a badge of honour or a matter of shame?
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Apart from extrajudicial killings, much criticised Bulldozer Justice also poses a serious question on the approach Yogi and his administration adopted.
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CM Yogi’s hardline Hindu approach to Government Policies and Political Speeches has often attracted condemnation and is not always welcomed by the minority.
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A recent example of this can be the 2022 UP election in which he stated that the election in UP would be an “80 vs 20 battle” before reclaiming his throne of UP as Yogi 2.0 and everyone who is aware of the socio-economic situation of UP, clearly interpreted it well as a clear line of the divide on the basis of religion the state has been seeing. The political scenario in Uttar Pradesh, and of course, in many other states, has been tainted by such utterances.
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The state also witnessed a spree of changing names which left a sense of disheartenment among minority communities and evoked a feeling of distrust among citizens.
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Appeasement and anti-minority feelings are being paraded in the most heinous manner. This is something the Election Commission should take into account seriously.
Case Laws
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In the case of PUCL v. the State of Maharashtra, the SC questioned the genuineness of the encounter of 135 alleged criminals in 99 encounters from 1995 – 1997. The SC laid down 16-pointer guidelines as the standard procedure, including Recording of Tip-off, Registration of FIR, Independent Probe, etc.
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In the case of Ram Prakash Gupta v. State of Uttar Pradesh, the Supreme Court examined the legality of police encounters. The court held that encounters must be conducted strictly within the bounds of the law and should only occur in exceptional circumstances where the use of force is necessary to protect lives. The judgment emphasised the holy nature of the right to life and the importance of due process. This landmark case established guidelines to prevent abuse of power and ensure transparency and accountability in police operations. It served as a precedent for future cases and contributed to developing principles safeguarding individual rights and upholding the rule of law.
Conclusion
It all boils down to deciding whether the actions of Yogi Adityanath should be termed as Unjust Tactics or Necessary measures. Yogi Adityanath has adopted a tough stance against organised crime and the mafia. While his actions have been praised for curbing criminal activities, there are questions about his strategies' ethical and legal aspects. Maintaining a balance between justice, the rule of law, and the concept of natural justice is crucial for a fair and equitable society. As discussed above, Yogi's approach to tackling the mafia is often caught somewhere between Unjust Tactics and Necessary Measures. Thus, examining the ethical considerations and the potential impact on individual rights is essential. With BJP powered by Yogi’s influential image in the north, let’s hope that the leaders of the nation find the equilibrium point of combating crime and upholding fundamental principles of justice.