The youth organisations of the principal Opposition Samajwadi Party (SP) staged a massive protest at the Hazratganj intersection in Lucknow on Friday against inflation and the alleged NEET examination paper leak.
A large number of workers from the Samajwadi Party’s Lohia Vahini, Chhatra Sabha and Youth Brigade participated in the demonstration, carrying anti-government posters and banners while raising slogans against the BJP government.
Tension escalated when a scuffle broke out between the protesters and the police after several activists climbed onto the roof of a police bus. Police later detained the protesters and shifted them to Eco Garden.
The SP activists alleged that the police dragged them on the road during the crackdown, resulting in torn clothes and bruises on their hands.
Samajwadi Lohia Vahini national secretary Anand Yadav alleged that under the BJP government, inflation, unemployment and the prices of petrol and diesel have continued to rise sharply, making essential commodities increasingly expensive for common people.
He further said that several recruitment processes, including the recruitment of 69,000 teachers, have remained pending for years, while the government has failed to ensure the rights of the OBC community or provide appointments to selected candidates.
Yadav also alleged that despite SP president Akhilesh Yadav raising the issue in a press conference, the Uttar Pradesh government appointed three people from the same caste as vice-chancellors of three universities.
Another Samajwadi Lohia Vahini national secretary, Raj Sahni, criticised the government over rising fuel prices and the alleged NEET paper leak. He further alleged that incidents of murder and rape have continued unabated under the BJP government.