After Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took charge in Uttar Pradesh, his strict stance had brought an end to the menace of “Romeos” (eve-teasers), but now that his grip has loosened, the old disease has returned. The Anti-Romeo Squad was launched in 2017 when the Yogi government prioritized women’s safety and cracked down on these miscreants. But now, in 2025, as the government’s tough posture seems to have softened, eve-teasers have once again begun to lurk outside schools and colleges. Police patrols are nowhere to be seen, and girls going to school and college are subjected to daily harassment. This is not only shameful but also a direct challenge to the system that claims to protect women’s dignity. It’s high time these self-styled Romeos are taught a strict lesson how much more will society expect its daughters to endure?
Just imagine a 16-year-old schoolgirl, holding her books, leaves home, and how fearful she must feel. Because on the way, or outside the school gate, near college campuses everywhere eve-teasers are waiting, either sitting on scooters or standing in groups. Passing lewd comments, whistling, following girls, or attempting to touch them these acts have now become routine. In July 2025, a schoolgirl in Unnao district, fed up, publicly slapped her harasser. The video went viral, but did that solve the problem? No! It only showed that girls are now forced to defend themselves because where is the police? In 2023, a girl riding her bicycle in Ambedkar Nagar died due to harassment. But even in 2025, the situation remains unchanged. Who are these Romeos? They are weak-minded cowards who think women are easy targets for their fake masculinity. In reality, they are pests of society, ruining the lives of daughters.
What happened to the Anti-Romeo Squad? Between 2017 and 2025, the squad issued warnings to 1.4 crore people, issued challans to 32,077, and filed multiple cases. In March 2025, the DGP revealed that over 24,000 cases had been registered. But now? In August 2024, orders were given to reactivate the squad, and Chief Minister Yogi again emphasized women’s safety. In May 2025, it was rebranded as the “Mahila Suraksha Team” (Women’s Safety Team). Still, the ground reality is different. In February 2025, reports emerged that due to criticism before the 2022 elections, the squad was scaled back. Now, there’s no police presence near schools and colleges. Eve-teasers are fearless, knowing that the fear of punishment has decreased. This is not leniency this is encouragement of crime!
These so-called Romeos don’t just harass they rob women of their freedom. According to a report, 90% of women in India face harassment in public spaces. In a state like Uttar Pradesh, where daughters are already struggling for education, such incidents force them to stay home. Remember 2017? When the Anti-Romeo Squad was first formed, there was real fear among harassers. But now? The squad has at times turned into moral policing, sometimes violating privacy, but the original goal was women’s safety. Today, we need strict action, not just renaming initiatives. From Lucknow to Unnao, the police must patrol 24×7. These eve-teasers should be caught and punished so severely that they remember it for life. The law exists Section 354 of the IPC (outraging the modesty of a woman) but where is the enforcement?
Think about it a college student leaves home every day, but lives in fear. Will I reach safely today? This fear stems from these Romeos who consider themselves heroes but are actually villains. Society should treat them with contempt. Parents, teachers, and the youth must unite and raise their voice against them. The government must fully reactivate the Anti-Romeo Squad, train the police, and install CCTV cameras outside schools and colleges. These miscreants are enemies of society they must be crushed, because sparing them is also a crime. For this, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath must tighten the screws on his officers once again. Only if he returns to his strict stance will our daughters be safe outside their homes. Otherwise, these Romeos will continue to tarnish the image of the state. Women’s safety is not just an election promise it is a fundamental right. How long will our daughters continue to suffer? The time has come for aggressive action. These Romeos must be uprooted completely!
(Written by Sanjay Saxena, Lucknow)
