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The findings triggered a clash between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress, which attacked the state government even as the Dehradun police questioned the survey’s credibility
Women cover themselves with scarves as protection from the sun during a hot summer day, in Dehradun. (Image: PTI)
A fresh controversy has erupted in Uttarakhand after the National Annual Report and Index on Women’s Safety, also known as NARI, placed capital Dehradun in a category that scored below the national average.
The findings triggered a political clash between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress, which attacked the state government even as the police questioned the survey’s credibility.
The report, released in New Delhi on August 28 by National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, ranked Kohima as the safest for women with a score of 82.9 percent, against the national average of 64.6 percent.
Conversely, Ranchi, Srinagar, Kolkata, Delhi, Faridabad, Patna, and Jaipur fell below 60 percent, landing in the “red” category while Dehradun, along with Raipur, Ludhiana, Chennai, and Shillong, scored between 60 and 61 percent in the “pink” category.
#WATCH | Delhi: On NARI 2025 Report & Women’s Safety Index, NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar says, “This will prove to be very useful for the safety of women. They have prepared such an all-inclusive report. They have also taken into consideration all other factors, such as how… pic.twitter.com/qV1PtNQksZ— ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2025
The Dehradun police, meanwhile, questioned the methodology used for the survey and issued a notice to the agency, P Value Analytics.
“We are concerned about the image of Doon Valley being maligned based on a small sample size, perhaps less than 400. The survey also contradicts previous reports released by government agencies,” said senior superintendent of police (SSP) Ajay Singh.
Singh said Dehradun – a hub for education and tourism – should not be judged on limited data.
Uttarakhand Congress leaders, however, seized the opportunity to criticise the BJP government in power. Carrying cow dung, the women’s wing of the party on Wednesday protested outside the ruling party’s office.
“If Dehradun is not safe, then which city in Uttarakhand is safe for women?” asked Jyoti Rautela, president of the Congress Mahila Morcha.
Further complicating the situation, state women’s commission chairperson Kusum Kandwal denied that the report was formally endorsed by the NCW.
Responding to the police notice, Prahallad Rout, managing director of P Value Analytics, told News18 over the phone that he will “get back” after consulting his team.
“I am currently out of state due to a family emergency,” Rout said.
Anupam Trivedi, Uttarakhand Editor, at News18, tracks politics, government affairs, environment and developmental issues concerning the Himalayan state. Being in the profession for two decades, he has intensive…Read More
Anupam Trivedi, Uttarakhand Editor, at News18, tracks politics, government affairs, environment and developmental issues concerning the Himalayan state. Being in the profession for two decades, he has intensive… Read More
Dehradun, India, India
September 04, 2025, 18:29 IST
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