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UP free from ‘Mafia Rule’, says CM Yogi
In Short
Addressing the fifth convocation ceremony of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University in Lucknow, the Chief Minister said that before 2017, uncertainty over law and order and investment had hindered the state’s development, with mafia elements posing obstacles to progress.
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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said the state had moved away from the “rule of the mafia” to an established system of rule of law, asserting that no individual or position could be above the Constitution.
Addressing the fifth convocation ceremony of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University in Lucknow, the Chief Minister said that before 2017, uncertainty over law and order and investment had hindered the state’s development, with mafia elements posing obstacles to progress. The establishment of the rule of law, he said, had transformed Uttar Pradesh’s image.
Emphasising the responsibility of the legal fraternity, Adityanath told young advocates that remaining silent in the face of injustice was not an option. While history would ultimately deliver its verdict, he said, it was the responsibility of lawyers to present the arguments.
The Chief Minister also referred to June 25, 1975, alongside August 15, 1947, and January 26, 1950, as significant dates in India’s democratic history, recalling the imposition of the Emergency. He said the period had highlighted the fundamental distinction between the rule of law and the rule of an individual.
Citing the dissenting opinion of Justice H R Khanna during the Emergency, CM Yogi said decisions taken in defence of fundamental principles secured a lasting place in history. He urged young legal professionals to uphold constitutional values and remain committed to truth, righteousness and continuous learning.
On ancient Indian teachings, he advised advocates to follow principles of speaking the truth, acting righteously and never neglecting their studies.
Referring to the ideas of socialist leader Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, he said legal professionals should possess a mind like Lord Shiva, a heart like Lord Krishna and an unwavering commitment to their word like Lord Ram.
CM Adityanath also linked the role of young lawyers to the national ambition of building a developed India by 2047. He said the vision of Viksit Bharat should be pursued with facts, evidence and integrity, and noted that Uttar Pradesh had drawn up a roadmap to become a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2029-30.
The Chief Minister said artificial intelligence could simplify tasks, but final decisions must remain guided by human judgment. He warned that poorly drafted legal documents could cost innocent people their freedom, while deepfakes and cybercrime posed new challenges to evidence reliability.
He said cyber police stations had been established in all 75 districts, with cyber help desks in 1,583 police stations. Under the AI Pragya initiative, one million youths are being trained in AI. He urged young advocates to resolve rural land and family disputes, oppose injustice, uphold principles and pursue lifelong learning.
Supreme Court Justice Vikram Nath urged graduates to measure success by their positive impact on others, while Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Arun Bhansali praised the university’s contribution to legal education and public service. The ceremony featured traditional rituals and medals for meritorious students.
