Anti-Romeo squad: BJP can only do moral policing, scoffs expelled SP leader

Sidelining the newly-elected Uttar Pradesh Government's launch of the 'Anti-Romeo' squad for the safety of girls, expelled Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Udayveer Singh on Friday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has no concern for women, adding that they have only been doing moral policing since the very beginning.

Drawing comparison between 'anti-romeo' squad and the former government's '1090 helpline' initiative, Singh said instead of beating up people on the Valentine's Day and shutting down markets, our government used to listen to the problems of women and maintain secrecy about the same.

The expelled leader further said 1090 was implemented keeping in mind women's problems and their mental condition, but anti-romeo squads seemed to be of no avail.

"I also feel that since the government has changed, the officials are troubling the common man in order to prove their loyalty towards the ruling dispensation. Women safety is a big issue and all the problems relating to it should be addressed. 1090 used to do the same. However, what they (BJP) did is so for cheap publicity," he told ANI.

Following Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's orders for the safety of girls in the state, Director General of Police (DGP) Javeed Ahmed on Wednesday launched Anti-Romeo squads to check on eve-teasing in public areas.

Ahmed also tweeted saying, "Safety of girls or ladies is the sole intent of the anti-Romeo squads. No moral policing.