Devendra Fadnavis promotes youth engagement and drug awareness

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has participated in several youth-focused initiatives, addressing both social issues and political opposition. In Nagpur, Fadnavis spoke at the Gen Z programme, noting that approximately 1.5 lakh youngsters participated in related competitions and 20,000 to 25,000 attended the concluding event. He characterized the participation as organic and aimed at providing opportunities in education, skills, startups, and the arts.

During the Nagpur event, Fadnavis criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of a “double standard” regarding women’s empowerment. Fadnavis claimed that while Gandhi speaks about women’s rights, he opposes the women’s reservation legislation intended to increase female representation in Parliament.

In Navi Mumbai, Fadnavis launched the Campus Connect campaign, an initiative by the Navi Mumbai Police to combat drug abuse among college students. He urged students to focus on education and nation-building rather than addiction, describing the youth population as India’s greatest strength. As part of the campaign, he inaugurated a de-addiction rehabilitation centre and emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to dismantle drug supply chains and reduce demand through awareness.