Lucknow, Nov 11 (PTI) The assault on SP lagislator Abu Asim Azmi in the Maharashtra assembly has come in for severe criticism by Hindi litterateurs and political parties in Uttar Pradesh with protestors burning effigies of MNS chief Raj Thackeray and demanding a ban on the party.

Congress and Samajwadi Party workers took out separate protest marches in Bhadohi district today.

Congress workers who submitted a memorandum addressed to President Pratibha Patil demanding ban on MNS, held the march through the streets and raised anti-MNS slogans.

Hindi Vidyapeeth President Sumit Vyas has sent a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking his help in ensuring that the most unfortunate incident of insult to the national language is not repeated.

CPI held a protest meeting in Lucknow during which it held Congress-NCP government responsible for the unlawful activities of MNS leaders against Hindi and north Indians.