Yogi govt denies permit for Cong mahila marathon; thousands gather still

Thousands of girls gathered and shouted slogans at the Mahila marathon organized by the Congress on Sunday even after Jhansi and Lucknow district administration cancelled permission for the event. The marathon is being organized as part of Cong's poll campaign 'Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon' focussed on women from Uttar Pradesh.

In Jhansi, though the police did not allow them to move ahead, the girls refused to return.

"The first three winners in both the marathons were to be awarded a scooty, and those coming fourth to 25th would have got a smartphone each. The next 100 were to be given fitness bands, while the next 1,000 women were to get medals," said Mamata Choudhary, the president of Uttar Pradesh Congress's women wing. The minimum age for participation in the marathon is 16 years. There is no entry fee for the participants.