Archive · 8 Aug 2026
Andhra Cabinet Withdraws Disha Bill; Jagan Alleges Political Jealousy
In a place in India called Andhra Pradesh, the government made a special law called the Disha Bill to protect women and children from bad people.
The law came with a phone app.
If a woman was in danger, she could press an SOS button or shake her phone, and police would come to help quickly.
Many, many people downloaded this app.
The person who made the law, Mr. Jagan, is not the leader anymore.
The new leader, Mr. Naidu, and his team decided to remove the Disha Bill.
Mr. Jagan is very upset and says the law was removed because of jealousy.
He says the new legal rules cannot protect women as well as Disha did.
He is asking the new government to bring Disha back.
On August 6, the Andhra Pradesh cabinet chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu withdrew the Disha Bill, a women's protection initiative from the erstwhile YSRCP government.
Former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy called the decision a 'black day' and accused Naidu of dismantling the framework out of 'political jealousy.'
The Disha initiative included an SOS app downloaded by over 1.51 crore people, with police resolving 31,607 emergency calls through it.
Reddy cited 214 convictions, a 27 percent decline in crimes against women by May 2024, and 19 national awards as proof of Disha's effectiveness.
The state government said the Ministry of Home Affairs advised withdrawal and a revised Bill per the Centre's recommendations; Jagan demanded the cabinet reverse the decision.
- Who
- YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (YSRCP president and former Chief Minister) and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, whose cabinet took the decision.
- What
- The Andhra Pradesh cabinet withdrew the Disha Bill, a women's protection initiative from the erstwhile YSRCP government, which Jagan called a 'black day' for women and children.
- When
- The cabinet decision came on August 6; Jagan's statement was made on Friday, August 7. The Disha Bill was originally passed by the Legislative Assembly on December 13, 2019.
- Where
- Andhra Pradesh, India; the report is datelined Amaravati.
- Why
- Jagan alleges the withdrawal was driven by 'political jealousy,' while the government says the Ministry of Home Affairs advised withdrawing the Bill and revising it per the Centre's recommendations, and that the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is sufficient.
YSRCP Defends Disha
Government Cites BNS and MHA Advice
Replacing Disha with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
YSRCP Defends Disha
Disha is a specialised system—SOS emergency response, women's police stations, special courts and advanced forensics—that a general law like the BNS cannot replace.
Government Cites BNS and MHA Advice
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is sufficient, so a separate Disha Bill is no longer required.
Motivation behind the withdrawal
YSRCP Defends Disha
The decision was taken out of 'political jealousy' and dismantles a successful safety framework, reducing the fear of law among offenders and weakening victims' confidence.
Government Cites BNS and MHA Advice
The Home Ministry reviewed the Bill, sought clarifications and advised the state to withdraw it and submit a revised Bill incorporating the Centre's recommendations; the TDP gave no immediate reaction.
Disha's record of success
YSRCP Defends Disha
Results such as 214 convictions, a 27 percent decline in crimes against women, faster investigations and 19 national awards prove Disha's effectiveness.
Government Cites BNS and MHA Advice
The government says Disha is no longer required under the BNS; the TDP gave no immediate reaction to Jagan's criticism.
- Government action
- Andhra Pradesh cabinet withdrew the Disha Bill on August 6
- Disha Bill passed
- December 13, 2019 by the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
- Disha app downloads
- Over 1.51 crore
- Emergency calls resolved
- 31,607 via the Disha app
- Disha Mahila Police Stations
- 18 established
- Women police personnel
- 13,500 deployed
- Convictions secured
- 214 in crimes against women and children cases
- Decline in crimes against women
- 27 percent by May 2024 (annual average from 14,338 to 10,426)
