JUNE 3, 1995: A day after the infamous guest house case in the state capital where she was attacked by Samajwadi Party workers, Mayawati was for the first time sworn in as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh with the help of the BJP, and also became the first Dalit woman in the country to hold the Chief Minister’s post. Twelve years later, she celebrated the historical day of her political career in her unique style and announced the release of 4,000 prisoners from the jails to mark the day, besides dedicating it to Sarvajan Sukhay-Sarvajan Hitay. Claiming that the rights of the socially and economically deprived were being snatched away before this, she said she would make sure that rights of the backward are protected and they are given equal opportunities in society. Hoardings were put up at strategic points in the city, bearing pictures and messages which conveyed the same. At a press conference held at a five star hotel in the city, Mayawati clarified that she had not changed her style but had only changed her venue owing to the renovation work being done at her official residence and the lack of space at her other residence. Mayawati termed the day of her coming to power in UP as a movement for social change. This is why her Government decided to release more than 4,000 prisoners. “Many people are sent to jail for petty crimes and their release is not a threat to society, besides the jail manual says that people who are old or terminally sick can be released. Taking this as a basis, my Government has decided to release 4,000 and more prisoners and give them a chance to improve,” said Mayawati.
