Akhilesh targets BJP govt over crimes against Dalits, says UP tops list
Lucknow (PTI): Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday targeted the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over the rising number of crimes against Dalits, citing the latest NCRB data.
Sharing a graphic on X, Yadav pointed out that Uttar Pradesh topped the list in crimes against Dalits with 15,130 cases, followed by Rajasthan (8,449) and Madhya Pradesh (8,232). The chart was captioned: "Daliton pe apradh mein UP No. 1(UP no. 1 in crimes against Dalits)".
Yadav, citing data by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) for 2023, alleged that it exposed the government's claims of ensuring safety for all communities, and said the figures reflect a "grim reality" of law and order in the state.
"BJP government's work should not just be seen as biased, the pain and tears it has caused should also be noted. In UP, Dalit oppression is at its peak," Yadav said in the post in Hindi.
"There should also be a TV show on this statistic; a hoarding highlighting this truth should also be put up, a detailed report on this should also be broadcast and published as news," he said.
"An SIT should also be formed to investigate this; a chapter on this should also be added to the curriculum. An inquiry commission should also be set up for this. A special unit should also be created for the elimination of Dalit oppression. A white paper should also be issued on this black crime," he demanded.
The former UP chief minister also asked the BJP government to hold a roadshow "to raise awareness about this problem".
"A 'five thousand year old' event should also be organised to awaken consciousness, framing this historical oppression as the 'panch sahassrabdi' (five millennia)," Yadav added.
Referring to the NCRB data, UP police on Wednesday said there was better crime control in the state when compared to national average.
Despite Uttar Pradesh having the highest population in the country, the crime rate in the state in 2023 stood at 181.3, much below the national crime rate of 270.3, it said in a statement.
Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Krishna attributed the decline in crimes to the strict implementation of a zero-tolerance policy against criminals of the Yogi Adityanath government.
"The improvement is a direct result of continuous efforts and systematic reforms, including the use of data-based macro and micro strategies, data analytics, and the strategic deployment of Police Response Vehicles," the DGP said.
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Akola hottest in India at 46.9 deg C; Vidarbha under grip of heat wave
Nagpur (PTI): Akola in Maharashtra has recorded the highest temperature in the country at 46.9°C, while Nagpur and several other parts of Vidarbha reeled under a severe heat wave, MeT officials said on Monday.
Heat wave conditions are expected to persist across parts of the state's Vidarbha region till Tuesday, as maximum temperatures may reach 45 to 46 degrees Celsius and touch 47 degrees Celsius at isolated locations, they said.
On Sunday, Akola recorded 46.9 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature in the country, followed by Amravati at 46.8 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department's Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Nagpur.
Wardha sizzled at 46.4 degrees Celsius, Yavatmal logged 46 degrees Celsius, Nagpur scorched at 45.4 degrees Celsius, while Chandrapur recorded 45 degrees Celsius, as per the data.
Akola, Amravati, Wardha, Yavatmal, Chandrapur and Nagpur experienced heat wave conditions, while several other districts reported above-normal temperatures, RMC scientist Dr Praveen Kumar told PTI.
The prevailing above-normal and persistently high temperatures over Vidarbha can be attributed to an anticyclonic circulation over Maharashtra and adjoining areas. At the same time, hot and dry northwesterly winds have been continuously affecting the region, he said.
In addition, weak western disturbances and the absence of moisture incursion or any significant weather systems have contributed to the intensification of heat over the region, the official said.
As per the Met department, heat wave conditions are likely to continue at a few or isolated places over the region till Tuesday.
The IMD has issued an 'orange' alert for Akola, Amravati and Wardha and a 'yellow' alert for Nagpur, Chandrapur and Yavatmal for Tuesday, saying that the maximum temperatures are likely to reach 45 to 46 deg C and possibly up to 47 deg C at isolated locations.
A relief from the heat wave is expected thereafter and the mercury is likely to dip by 2 to 3 deg C, with the possibility of rainfall and gusty winds in the coming days, it added.
The IMD grades the severity of any weather system through colour-coded alerts – green (no warning), yellow (be aware), orange (be prepared) and red (take action).
