It seems that Uttar Pradesh government led by CM Yogi Adityanath has sniffed that ‘anti-Romeo’ squad-the name it gave to the units formed to curb eve-teasing incident didn’t go down well with people. Therefore, it has decided to rebrand the much hyped squad and will now be known as ‘Nari Suraksha Bal’ or women’s protection force.

CM Yogi had announced the formation of these squads just days after he took oath as a CM. In initial days of the formation of the squads, police police responded with alacrity in at least 11 districts of the country’s most populous state by raiding parks, malls and colleges to deter the so-called Romeos.

PTI

The act, however, drew strong criticism from different quarters and alleged that police is getting into the private space of the people. The opposition even sought Centre’s intervention in what they called violation of the constitution as these squads allegedly affect the freedom of the youngsters.

“Behen betiyon ka samman sarkaar ki prathmikta hai. Ab anti-Romeo squad ka naam ‘Nari Suraksha Bal’ kar diya gaya hai (Protecting the honour of our sisters and daughters is the top priority for our government. Anti-Romeo squad would now be known as Nari Suraksha Bal),” Rajendra Pratap ‘Moti’ Singh said at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Lucknow.