Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has alleged that the Uttar Pradesh government erected tin sheets at the main gate of the Jayaprakash Narayan International Centre (JPNIC) in Lucknow to prevent his entry. Yadav visited the center on Thursday night ahead of the birth anniversary of socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan.

Yadav questioned the motives behind the BJP's actions, suggesting that the installation of the tin sheets indicated that the government was concealing something. "This JPNIC is the museum of socialists and has the statue of Jayaprakash Narayan. There are things inside on how we can understand socialism," he stated outside the center.

He further asked, "What is the government hiding by erecting these tin sheds? Is it possible that they are getting ready to sell it or want to give it to someone?" When asked about his plans to return to the center on Friday to pay his respects, he replied, "We will decide the programme tomorrow. For how long will they keep it barred behind tin sheds?"

In a video shared online, Yadav was seen asking a painter to write "Samajwadi Party Zindabad" on the tin sheets. The Samajwadi Party accused the BJP of undermining democracy and called the action an instance of "dirty politics."

"The useless BJP government is constantly attacking democracy. This anti-people government has insulted great men by ruining development work like JPNIC built in Lucknow. Socialists will not bow down to these dictators!" the party posted on X.

Later, Yadav criticized the BJP's leadership, describing their rule as an "ostentatious Amrit Kaal of freedom" and labeling the barricading a reflection of the party's "closed thinking." He asserted that the BJP harbors animosity toward freedom fighters like Jayaprakash Narayan, stating, "It is the guilt inside the BJP, whose members did not participate in the freedom struggle of the country, which does not allow them to pay tribute to the revolutionaries even on their birth anniversaries. Condemnable!" he tweeted.

Last year, Yadav had to climb over the gate of the JPNIC to garland the statue of Jayaprakash Narayan due to similar access issues.

Amid the ongoing dispute, the Lucknow Development Authority issued a notice regarding Yadav's planned visit, citing safety concerns due to construction materials scattered around the site. The notice emphasized that Yadav, who has Z-plus category security, should avoid visiting the center for security reasons.

In response to potential protests from the Samajwadi Party, the Lucknow Police imposed traffic restrictions around the JPNIC. Barricades were set up outside the main gate, and police personnel were deployed to maintain order. Additionally, a vehicle capable of releasing tear gas and water cannons was stationed outside the entrance.

Barricades were also erected outside Akhilesh Yadav's residence, restricting traffic in the area. Yadav inaugurated the JPNIC during his tenure as Chief Minister, but construction was halted after the BJP took power in 2017. The facility includes the Jayaprakash Narayan Interpretation Centre, which serves as a museum.