Congress workers march to UP Vidhan Sabha over MGNREGA, several detained

Congress leaders and workers on Tuesday began marching towards the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha in Lucknow to stage a “Vidhan Sabha Gherao” protest against the state government (Source: Photo by Vishal Srivastava)

The protest focused on what the party described as the weakening of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the non-payment of wages to workers under the scheme (Source: Photo by Vishal Srivastava)

The Congress party intensified its criticism of the BJP-led state government, alleging dilution and irregularities in the implementation of MGNREGA (Source: Photo by Vishal Srivastava)

In addition to the employment scheme, the party demanded a public apology from the state government over issues related to the Shankaracharya matter, remarks concerning Ahilyabai Holkar, and the Dalmandi demolition controversy (Source: Photo by Vishal Srivastava)

As the protesters moved towards the Assembly complex, heavy barricading was put up by security personnel around the premises to prevent them from advancing further (Source: Photo by Vishal Srivastava)

Led by Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai, a large number of party workers proceeded towards the Assembly despite restrictions being in place (Source: Photo by Vishal Srivastava)

As tensions escalated near the protest site, personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the state police intervened and used mild force to disperse the protesters (Source: Photo by Vishal Srivastava)

Several party leaders, including Ajay Rai, were detained following the escalation, bringing the protest march towards the Assembly to a halt (Source: Photo by Vishal Srivastava)