Akhilesh Yadav is in the spotlight again over the barricades made of tin sheets blocking access to the Jayaprakash Narayan International Centre (JPNIC) in Lucknow, which houses a museum dedicated to the iconic socialist leader. The barricades were erected just ahead of plans to garland a statue of JP Narayan on his birth anniversary, leading to a heated political dispute between Yadav and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Following the installation of the tin barricades and increased police presence, Yadav criticized the BJP for what he termed an act of suppression against the Samajwadi Party (SP) members wanting to pay tribute. “The BJP’s actions are a symbol of negativity. To prevent us from honoring Jayaprakash Narayanji, they have put up barricades around our residence,” he stated.
Sharing videos on social media, Yadav highlighted the police barriers set up outside the SP office. He expressed frustration over the government’s attempts to restrict access, questioning, “What is the government trying to hide by blocking the entrance with tin sheets? This museum was built to honor a great leader, a socialist thinker. Why is the government doing this?”
In response to Yadav’s comments, Alok Awasthi, spokesperson for the BJP’s Uttar Pradesh unit, stated that the party respects all great leaders, including JP Narayan, whom he described as a “symbol of simplicity.” Awasthi challenged Yadav, asking if he possessed any qualities of Narayan, while accusing him of enjoying a luxurious lifestyle during a time of misgovernance.
The controversy escalated after the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) denied Yadav permission to visit JPNIC, citing safety concerns due to ongoing construction work and the potential presence of insects following heavy rain. The LDA’s letter also noted that Yadav has Z-plus security, which, they argued, made it unsafe for him to garland the statue.
This isn’t the first time Yadav has faced such obstacles; last year, he jumped over a wall to pay his respects to JP Narayan when denied entry. He reiterated his commitment to continue the tradition of honoring the leader, asserting that the SP will not be silenced by the BJP’s tactics.
Yadav, who inaugurated the JPNIC in 2016 while serving as Chief Minister, accused the current government of deliberately halting its construction and potentially planning to sell the facility. He emphasized that the ceremony to garland the statue would proceed regardless of the barricades.
Earlier, the SP had condemned the BJP government’s actions, asserting that they were undermining democracy and insulting historical figures through their policies.