*YSRCP Women’s Wing protests Statewide against withdrawal of Disha Bill*

Tadepalli, August 7: The YSRCP Women’s Wing organised protests across several districts of Andhra Pradesh against the Chandrababu Naidu Government’s decision to withdraw the Disha Bill, warning that the government must not compromise women’s safety. The party demanded an immediate review of the decision and restoration of the protection framework created under Disha.

Former Minister Pamula Pushpa Srivani, speaking at Kurupam, said Disha was not merely a law but a comprehensive women’s safety system introduced by the Y.S. Jagan Government. She highlighted the Disha App, SOS services, Zero FIR, special police stations, fast-track courts and time-bound investigation mechanisms, and said dismantling such safeguards reflects the government’s disregard for women’s security. She also criticised Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha’s remarks on opposition programmes and the Alur incident, saying conclusions should not be drawn before completion of investigation.

At Nellore, YSRCP Women’s Wing State Working President Kakani Poojitha said the Disha framework became a model for the country by combining rapid police response with dedicated prosecution, special courts, forensic support and women police personnel at village and ward secretariats. She said the SOS system enabled police response within 15–20 minutes in emergencies.

At Tirupati, State Vice-President Geetha Yadav said the Y.S. Jagan Government strengthened investigation and prosecution in crimes against women, including rape and POCSO cases. She cited the Ramya murder case in Guntur as an example of swift investigation and trial.

The YSRCP Women’s Wing demanded that the government immediately reverse the withdrawal decision, restore and strengthen the Disha protection system, and ensure that women and girls are not left vulnerable at a time when crimes against them require stronger, not weaker, institutional safeguards.