On February 23, CPI(ML) organised a Vidhan Sabha (Assembly) march in Lucknow, with thousands of people from across the state uniting against the repressive and anti-people policies of the BJP regime at both the state and central levels. Despite police repression and the house arrest of CPI(ML) leaders in various districts, comrades from across Uttar Pradesh gathered near Lucknow railway station for the march.
In an attempt to foil this massive assertion of people’s voices, the Yogi-led BJP government deployed heavy barricading and a large police force near the railway station itself. The February 23 march was called to raise urgent and long-pending demands of the poor, workers, peasants, students, and marginalised communities. These include an end to bulldozer-driven evictions; guaranteeing land rights for the poor; freedom from crushing debt; protection of forest rights; implementation of the UGC Equity Regulation 2026; granting government worker status and proper wages to ASHA and other scheme workers; and restoring and strengthening MGNREGA. The march also demanded expansion of employment opportunities, protection of constitutional and democratic rights, and action on several other pressing concerns of the people.
The protest also raised its voice against arbitrary electricity bills and the forced installation of smart meters, which are creating havoc in the lives of poor households.
On the eve of the march, police forcibly detained several CPI(ML) leaders in an attempt to sabotage the February 23 mobilisation. Police reached the residence of Comrade Devashish, District Secretary of the party in Pilibhit, who was preparing to travel to Lucknow with comrades, and placed him under house arrest. Similarly, Comrade Arjun Lal, District Secretary of Sitapur and a Zila Panchayat member, was also detained at his home. Similar detentions were reported from other districts, including Mathura, Basti, and Azamgarh.
In a statement, CPI(ML) Uttar Pradesh State Secretary Sudhakar Yadav said that people distressed by the government’s policies were coming to peacefully present their demands before the state’s highest democratic forum — the Legislative Assembly. “What is the government afraid of? Why are leaders being stopped in the districts?” he asked.
The February 23 march stood as a resolute declaration that the poor and marginalised of Uttar Pradesh will continue to resist bulldozer raj, defend their rights, and fight for dignity, justice, and democracy.
