Rule of law has been established in Uttar Pradesh by removing mafia rule, says CM Yogi

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during the fifth convocation of the Dr Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University in Lucknow. | Photo credit: PTI

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday (October 17, 2026) said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has established “rule of law” in the state by eradicating “mafia rule”.

“Uttar Pradesh was once under the influence of the mafia, but now there is rule of law in the state. This is the strongest foundation for development, investment and public confidence,” Mr. Adityanath said at the fifth convocation ceremony of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University in Lucknow.

He said Uttar Pradesh, once counted among the BIMARU states amid investment and law and order concerns, has changed its position through a clear plan and determination. The state is now among the top three economies of the country and is progressing as a revenue surplus state,” he added.

Mr. Adityanath urged law graduates not to limit their understanding of the profession to parts of law and court cases, but to prioritize public trust, protection of rights and access to justice.

“The vision of Viksit Bharat cannot be realized only by building roads, factories and expressways. It requires strengthening of a system based on justice, integrity and duty. Every person standing at the last rung of society must get justice easily and accessible, without bias. The greatest advantage of law is not its module but the trust of the common people. This trust is strengthened by objectivity, respect for victims and legal action must remain professional, a lawyer must remain dedicated. impartiality and the Constitution,” he said.

According to him, before 2017, the state was perceived as a place where investment was dangerous, connectivity was weak and development opportunities were limited.

“Changing this perception required determination and an action plan that could bring results. An important part of this transformation was the establishment of the rule of law. We freed the state from mafia rule and established the rule of law. Earlier, the situation was such that even the convoys of people holding administrative and constitutional positions stopped before the mafia figure in Prayagraj. But today, the state is new in establishing the rule of law.

Referring to legal and administrative reforms at the national level, Mr. Adityanath said the reform process gained momentum after May 2014, when more than 1,500 outdated laws were repealed.

“The independence of India, the implementation of the constitution, the state of emergency, the landmark court decisions and the reforms carried out in the country can be considered as important milestones in the nation’s journey. The country became independent on 15th August 1947 and the constitution came into force on 26th January 1950. Proclamation of emergency5 between 197rule 2 law” and “ruler’s rule”.

Through the Jan Vishwas Act, 183 provisions across 42 laws have been amended to decriminalize petty misconduct, he said, adding that global confidence in India has strengthened amid the country’s economic upswing.

“In 2013, India was counted among the 5 fragile economies of the world, while today it is among the top 5 economies of the world. Similarly, Uttar Pradesh has set a target of becoming a trillion dollar economy. A vision document has been released and an action plan has been implemented for this,” he said.

Published – 18 Oct 2026 10:35 AM IST