Lucknow: Congress is set to gherao Uttar Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday in a protest against Yogi Adityanath government. The protest, organized by Congress, focuses on issues of law and order and unemployment, which the party claims have worsened under the current administration. Party workers, along with national and state leaders, will participate in the gherao. The protest will take place despite the administration’s attempts to prevent it through the imposition of strict security measures and the enforcement of Section 163 in Lucknow, which bans public gatherings in the city.
However, several Congress leaders claimed they were placed under “house arrest” to prevent their participation in the protest. In Amethi, Congress district chief Pradeep Singhal alleged that he, along with over 100 party leaders and officials, had been put under house arrest. “All 17 block presidents, office-bearers, frontal organization leaders, and committee members in the district have been placed under house arrest,” Singhal told PTI. He condemned the police action, describing it as “undemocratic and condemnable.” Singhal emphasized that every citizen in a democracy had the right to voice their concerns. “The Congress is the voice of the people that this deaf and blind government is trying to suppress. When this government is afraid, it resorts to using the police,” he said.
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Police put barricades in the Mall Avenue area near the State Assembly in Lucknow as the Congress party has announced to stage a protest at the Vidhan Sabha against the state government. pic.twitter.com/NlEPm7xQ4S
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2024
Congress’ allegations against Yogi govt
In response to the government’s attempts to prevent the protest, Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai asserted that nothing would stop their workers from going ahead with the siege. He said that these were Congress workers who stood with the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. Rai strongly criticized the state government, saying, “They (Yogi Adityanath’s government) have ruined the entire state. We will hold them accountable for this.”
Rai compared the measures being taken to stop the protest to the barbed wire used to restrict farmers during their protests at Ghazipur border, claiming that this was the first time barbed wire had been installed to prevent Congress workers from protesting. He called the government “murderous” and “inhuman” for its actions against Congress workers, adding that they would take action to reverse the cases once they were in power.
Why Congress leaders protesting?
In anticipation of the protest, Uttar Pradesh administration issued a formal notice to Congress, citing Section 163 of the BNSS (Banning of Gatherings and Processions) Act. The notice warned that the party must comply with the conditions set under Section 163, ensuring that they cooperate fully with the police and refrain from disturbing law and order. The notice was addressed to all Congress leaders, including spokesperson Anshu Awasthi, and also reminded them that the government had imposed strict measures to prevent any disruptions or violence during the protest.
Congress accused the state government of failing to address rising crime and lawlessness. The party claimed that the Yogi Adityanath government has failed to create adequate job opportunities for the youth.
In addition to the protest, Congress workers have expressed concerns about the treatment they have faced in recent days, including the confiscation of their vehicles and arbitrary arrests. They also accuse the government of taking harsh measures to quell any dissent, such as preventing access to the state assembly. Despite these challenges, Congress vowed to press forward with their protest, with the firm belief that they will eventually bring about change in the state.
