Operation Jwala: Self-Defence Training for Girl Students in Telangana
The Adilabad District Police launched Operation Jwala on July 19, 2025, to train girls in martial arts for self-defence and gender safety.
Key Highlights of the Initiative:
Launched by Superintendent of Police Akhil Mahajan at Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Girls’ School in Adilabad.
Girls will be trained in Karate and other self-defence techniques by expert instructors.
Aims to build confidence and preparedness among girls facing harassment, especially in rural areas.
Will be scaled to other schools across the district in collaboration with the education department.
Part of Telangana Police’s broader community policing and gender safety strategy.
Social Equity & Women’s Safety
Article 15(3) – Special Provisions for Women & Children
Article 15(3) of the Indian Constitution is a crucial enabling provision.
It allows the State to create exclusive schemes or measures specifically for women and children.
The purpose is to promote gender security and welfare, recognizing their unique vulnerabilities.
“Operation Jwala” (referring to the Telangana Police’s self-defense program for girl students in Adilabad, launched in June 2025) qualifies as a targeted affirmative action initiative under this Article.
It aims to address specific challenges faced by girls, aligning with constitutional principles
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme:
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme is primarily a Union initiative.
It focuses on girl child survival, protection, and education.
Beyond its core objectives, BBBP also supports broader goals of gender sensitization and protection measures.
District-level innovations like “Operation Jwala” align with BBBP’s broader goals.
These local efforts contribute to the national objective of empowering girls.
SDG-5: Gender Equality and Empowerment of All Women and Girls:
“Operation Jwala” contributes directly to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5.
SDG 5 aims for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of All Women and Girls.
Specifically, the program contributes to SDG 5 targets on eliminating all forms of violence against women and promoting their empowerment through education and safety.
Such localized programs are critical for achieving grassroots social transformation.
They demonstrate a bottom-up approach to global development goals.
Preventive Policing & Community Engagement:
Police taking a proactive social role, extending beyond traditional law enforcement duties, is vital.
This approach strengthens community trust and fosters better police-public relations.
The initiative’s preventive measures can be justified under Sections 149-151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
These sections empower police to act to prevent cognizable offenses, thus supporting such empowerment efforts.
It embodies a shift towards community policing and social responsibility
Intersection of Gender and Rural Vulnerability:
Girls in backward districts like Adilabad often face unique and compounded vulnerabilities.
They experience higher exposure to issues such as child marriage, harassment, and school dropouts.
These challenges are exacerbated by socio-economic factors and traditional norms in rural settings.
Providing self-defence training can be a powerful tool for their retention in education.
It also helps them in resisting gender-based violence and building confidence.
Best Practice Model for Other States:
“Operation Jwala” could serve as a best practice model for other states in India.
It demonstrates a successful district-level model combining safety, confidence-building, and education.
The initiative shows how local police leadership can effectively drive gender-sensitive governance.
Such programs exemplify how targeted, local interventions can contribute significantly to national development goals