Akhilesh Yadav, the chief of the Samajwadi Party (SP), expressed his strong disapproval of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) denied him access to the Jayaprakash Narayan International Centre (JPNIC). Yadav intended to visit the site on Friday to commemorate the birth anniversary of the freedom fighter but was met with restrictions due to purported security concerns.
In a letter dated October 10, the LDA described JPNIC as a construction zone fraught with scattered materials and potential insect infestations caused by recent rain. The authority cited Yadav’s Z-plus security status, stating it rendered his visit unsafe under the current conditions.
Upon his arrival at JPNIC, Yadav condemned the Uttar Pradesh government’s actions, claiming that tin sheets had been used to barricade the entrance. He accused the BJP of obstructing efforts to honor Jayaprakash Narayan on his significant day.
“This is the ostentatious Amritkal of freedom under BJP rule. The wall erected to block access is a testament to their narrow-mindedness,” Yadav asserted in a post on X, highlighting his belief that the BJP’s actions reflected a broader disdain for the legacy of freedom fighters.
He further remarked, “The BJP demonstrates animosity towards every freedom fighter, including Jayaprakash Narayan, who played a vital role in our nation’s independence. Their reluctance to honor those who fought for our freedom reveals their inner guilt for not contributing to the struggle themselves. This behavior is utterly condemnable!”
Earlier that day, the Samajwadi Party released a video on X showcasing workers installing tin sheets at JPNIC’s entrance. The party took to social media to denounce the BJP government, labeling its actions as a direct assault on democracy. They condemned the UP government’s attempt to restrict access to JPNIC, asserting, “Preventing the garlanding of Jayaprakash Narayan’s statue exemplifies the BJP’s dirty politics. This anti-people government has disrespected our great leaders while hindering development efforts at JPNIC in Lucknow. Socialists will not succumb to these tyrants!”
Jayaprakash Narayan is celebrated for forming the first non-Congress government in India by uniting various opposition factions during the Emergency. He is fondly remembered for leading a diverse coalition of parties in the mid-1970s against then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, advocating for ‘Sampoorna Kranti’ (total revolution).
