On July 19, 2025, the Adilabad District Police launched Operation Jwala, a self-defence training program for schoolgirls aimed at enhancing gender safety, confidence, and empowerment. Initiated by Superintendent of Police Akhil Mahajan at Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Girls’ School, the program trains girls in Karate and other martial arts, especially in rural and vulnerable areas.
Constitutional Backing and Policy Synergy
Operation Jwala aligns with Article 15(3) of the Indian Constitution, which empowers the State to make special provisions for women and children. It also reinforces the goals of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, supporting girl child protection and education.
Contribution to SDG-5
The initiative directly supports UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG-5)—achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls—by promoting safety, education, and self-reliance.
Preventive Policing & Community Engagement
The program showcases a shift from reactive law enforcement to preventive, community-focused policing, justifiable under Sections 149–151 of the CrPC. It helps foster police-public trust and positions law enforcement as a partner in social transformation.
Addressing Rural Gender Vulnerabilities
Girls in backward districts like Adilabad face heightened risks of child marriage, harassment, and school dropout. Operation Jwala tackles these issues head-on by boosting self-confidence, ensuring school retention, and promoting safety in conservative rural setups.
A Model for Other States
Operation Jwala stands out as a best practice for gender-sensitive governance. It shows how district-level police leadership can successfully integrate safety, education, and empowerment—offering a replicable model for other regions to meet national development and social equity goals.
