Akhilesh flags ‘commercialisation’ of Janeshwar Mishra Park, calls for citizens’ movement against U.P. government

The Samajwadi Party (SP) president, Akhilesh Yadav, on Sunday (November 30, 2025), alleged that authorities are trying to fully commercialise Lucknow’s Janeshwar Mishra Park by opening it up for large-scale private weddings and events, starting January 15, 2026.

Mr. Yadav has pushed for a civil society movement by people of Lucknow to stop the conversion of a vital ecological asset into a private revenue-generating property.

Mr. Yadav’s criticism comes after a promotional poster surfaced for a proposed venue titled ‘Janeshwar Greens’, which advertises massive event lawns, extensive guest capacity and dedicated parking facilities within the park’s premises. 

“The citizens of Lucknow have a full right to clean air and greenery. We should all join together and strongly oppose this as a civil society movement. If we do this alone, the BJP government will declare it a political movement and use it for its own interests. That is why we appeal to every resident of Lucknow to come forward and save the greenery of Lucknow,” wrote Mr. Yadav, on X, sharing the poster. 

The SP chief added that it is just the beginning of the BJP and its allies’ greed. He alleged that the park is falling victim to this greed, and in the near future, BJP contractors will take over parks in every neighbourhood and colony across Lucknow and Uttar Pradesh.

“Local residents will be left with nothing but the accumulated garbage, filth, and the stench of leftovers after these events,” added Mr. Yadav. 

Janeshwar Mishra Park, located in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, is one of the largest urban parks in Asia, covering approximately 376 acres. The park, developed in memory of late veteran socialist leader Janeshwar Mishra, was inaugurated in August 2014.