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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday condemned recent remarks by former Vice‑President Hamid Ansari about Hindu right‑wing communalism, saying the comments hurt India’s image, and used the same platform to criticise Congress and outline new measures aimed at women and job creation. His remarks, delivered at the closing session of Prerna Vimarsh 2026 at Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida, mixed political rebuke with policy claims and announcements affecting state security and social programs.
Speaking to an audience at the two‑day conference, Adityanath argued that individuals who have held high constitutional office should protect the dignity of those posts and claimed Ansari’s comments undermined national traditions. He separately targeted Congress and its youth event in Indore, describing some remarks there as disrespectful to women.
Women’s initiatives and symbolic gestures
Adityanath used the forum, themed “Naari Samman, Yuva Swabhiman”, to underline what he called the state’s commitment to women’s dignity and participation. He invoked historical figures and announced new honours for women in the state security forces.
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The government said it will name three women‑only PAC battalions after 19th‑century women leaders associated with the 1857 uprising—an effort Adityanath framed as both recognition and morale‑building for women in uniform.
- New battalion names: Units to be named for Rani Avantibai Lodhi, Uda Devi and Jhalkari Bai.
- Social schemes referenced: mentions of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana to highlight maternal and girl‑child support.
- State scheme: Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana—financial aid claimed up to ₹25,000 per eligible girl from birth through higher education.
Economic and employment claims
Adityanath also outlined what he described as recent economic progress in Uttar Pradesh, focusing on job creation and expanded small business activity. He credited technological adoption for growth in the micro, small and medium enterprise sector and cited a shift in the state’s fiscal position.
Key figures he presented were portrayed as achievements by his administration; they were given as claims rather than independently verified statistics.
- Jobs: Government jobs, about 950,000 in the past nine years according to the chief minister.
- MSMEs: Roughly 9.6 million units said to support about 30 million jobs, tied to increased technology use.
- Household support: The Centre’s household LPG rollout was described as reaching 120 million beneficiaries.
Political context and response
Adityanath’s comments come amid fresh public debate over national identity and communal politics after a former vice‑presidential officeholder referenced concerns originally voiced by Jawaharlal Nehru about right‑wing communalism. The chief minister framed Ansari’s remarks as damaging to India’s traditions and asserted some opponents consistently seek to tarnish the country’s image.
On Congress, he criticised the tone of a recent youth event in Indore and singled out the party’s senior leaders for what he called unacceptable conduct toward women—language aimed at drawing a contrast with his administration’s stated priorities.
Looking ahead: trade show and administration priorities
Adityanath closed his address by reviewing preparations for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh international trade show, scheduled for September 25–29 at India Expo Mart in Greater Noida, and reiterated the state’s focus on employment, industry modernisation and women’s empowerment as pillars of its public agenda.
How these announcements translate into policy and outcomes will depend on implementation and independent verification of the figures cited. For now, the speech blends political criticism with promises of symbolic recognition and development targets ahead of the trade event.
