Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday, 23 September inaugurated a government women's shelter home in Gorakhpur, using the occasion to launch a sharp attack on the previous Samajwadi Party (SP) government, alleging that SP-linked individuals had 'vitiated' the state's atmosphere before 2017 by harassing and forcibly abducting women. The shelter, built at a cost of ₹8 crore 5 lakh 42 thousand, has a capacity of 100 women and is equipped with all essential amenities.

Adityanath's Allegations Against SP's Pre-2017 Tenure

Addressing the gathering at the inauguration, CM Adityanath alleged: 'Parents used to worry about their daughters' education and safety (before 2017). Goons associated with the then-government had vitiated the atmosphere. In many districts, daughters' education was in jeopardy. SP-linked miscreants used to harass and forcibly abduct them.'

He further claimed that the entire state had been gripped by 'hooliganism, land grabbing, and anarchy' under the previous regime, contrasting it with the present: 'Today, Uttar Pradesh is free from curfews, riots, fear, hooliganism, and illegal encroachments.' The remarks were unverified political allegations; the SP has not responded to the claims as of this report.

What the Shelter Home Offers

The newly inaugurated facility in Gorakhpur is designed to provide refuge to women who are victims of domestic violence, daughters forced to leave home, and elderly women or sisters separated from their families. CM Adityanath said the shelter would eliminate the need for such women to 'wander from pillar to post' seeking help. The Women's Welfare Department has been tasked with ensuring the home operates efficiently.

Government Schemes for Women Cited

The Chief Minister highlighted two state welfare programmes aimed at women and girls. Under the 'Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangla Yojana', financial assistance of ₹25,000 is provided to a daughter from birth through graduation. The 'Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana' (Chief Minister's Mass Marriage Scheme) provides a provision of ₹1 lakh per beneficiary. He added that women are increasingly emerging as 'Lakhpati Didis,' 'Drone Didis,' and 'Banking Correspondent Sakhis' — roles he described as new stories of self-reliance.

Employment Claims and Attack on Opposition

Extending his critique to jobs, Adityanath claimed that over 9.5 lakh youths have received government employment under 'Mission Rozgar' (Mission Employment). He stated that more than 3 crore people have found work through 96 lakh MSME units across the state, with a significant number run by women. The Chief Minister also noted that Uttar Pradesh now has over 24,000 startups, signalling a shift from job-seeking to job-creation among the youth.

Targeting the SP directly on employment, Adityanath said: 'You keep counting, and we will keep distributing jobs. You will grow tired of counting, but we will not tire of providing jobs to the youth of UP.' The CM's figures on jobs and MSMEs were cited as official government data and have not been independently verified.

Broader Context

The inauguration and the accompanying political statements come ahead of an election cycle in which the BJP and the SP are expected to be principal rivals in Uttar Pradesh. Adityanath has repeatedly framed the state's law-and-order transformation as a central pillar of the BJP's governance narrative, and Wednesday's event offered another platform to reinforce that messaging. Critics from the opposition have consistently disputed the government's claims on both law-and-order and employment metrics. With the shelter home now operational, the broader question of whether institutional infrastructure for women translates into on-ground safety outcomes will be closely watched.