 |
|
The political landscape in India is once again rife with tension, this time centered around the Jayaprakash Narayan International Centre (JPNIC) in Lucknow. The JPNIC, a museum dedicated to the memory of the iconic socialist leader and politician Jayaprakash Narayan, has become a flashpoint between Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The dispute escalated when entrances to the JPNIC were barricaded with tin sheets, prompting Yadav to launch a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing them of attempting to suppress his party's commemoration of JP Narayan's birth anniversary.
Yadav, in a series of tweets and statements, alleged that the BJP's actions were driven by fear and negativity. He claimed that the barricades were put in place to prevent Samajwadi Party members from garlanding JP Narayan's statue on his birth anniversary. He also shared videos on X showing police barriers outside his party's office, further emphasizing the alleged efforts to restrict their movement. Yadav's strong words painted a picture of a government actively working to stifle dissent and opposition, and he pointed to past instances where he was denied permission to visit the JPNIC.
The JPNIC, inaugurated by Yadav in 2016 during his tenure as Chief Minister, has become a symbol of conflict between the two parties. Construction on the museum was halted after the BJP came to power in 2017, a move Yadav claims was deliberate and part of a larger plan to sell off the structure. The LDA, responsible for maintaining the JPNIC, cited safety concerns and ongoing construction work as reasons for refusing Yadav's request to visit the site. However, the LDA's letter also mentioned Yadav's Z+ security, which seemed to add an unusual and perhaps contradictory justification to their denial. Yadav's claims and the BJP's actions have fueled speculation about the true motives behind the restrictions and the potential for further political clashes in the future.
Source: Akhilesh Yadav On Warpath Over Tin Sheets' Barricade At JP Narayan Museum