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Cong protests over MGNREGA repeal, says over 100 held in Varanasi march

In Amethi, local Congress MP Amethi Kishori Lal Sharma targeted the BJP, saying the communal forces that assassinated Mahatma Gandhi are now trying to "erase his name from the country and shatter his dreams".

2 min readUpdated: Jan 12, 2026 04:10 PM IST

The NSUI said police lathi-charged on their protest march and arrested over 100 members of the students’ outfit. (Photo/@INCKerala)

The Congress on Sunday held protests in Varanasi over the Centre’s repealing of MGNREGA, a rural job guarantee scheme, and replacing it with the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Grameen) (VB-G RAM G) Act.

The protest was led by state unit chief Ajay Rai, who sat on a symbolic fast. Later, NSUI workers held a protest march from Banaras Hindu University’s Lanka Gate to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s local office.

The NSUI, later, said police lathi-charged on their protest march and arrested over 100 members of the students’ outfit.

“The NSUI had planned a “Save MGNREGA” protest march today in Varanasi. The march was led by NSUI national president Varun Chaudhary, but since yesterday, police raids had been conducted on hostels and student residences in Varanasi and eastern UP. Many students were placed under house arrest… Despite this, hundreds participated in the peaceful march… police lathi-charged the NSUI students. Nearly 100 NSUI activists were injured, arrested, and taken to various police stations in Varanasi,” the Congress said.

Later, NSUI president Varun Chaudhary said, “In the Prime Minister’s own Lok Sabha constituency of Varanasi, the Modi government chose the path of lathi-charge and repression in response to a peaceful protest against MGNREGA. This exposes the fear of power towards the legitimate voices of students, youth, and marginalised communities.”

In Amethi, local Congress MP Amethi Kishori Lal Sharma targeted the BJP, saying the communal forces that assassinated Mahatma Gandhi are now trying to “erase his name from the country and shatter his dreams”.

Sharma said Mahatma Gandhi’s dream was being realised through the MGNREGA.

Maulshree Seth

Maulshree Seth is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, based in Lucknow. With over 15 years of experience in mainstream journalism, she has built a formidable reputation for her on-ground reporting across Uttar Pradesh. Her expertise spans a wide array of critical beats, including state politics, governance, the judiciary, and rural development. Authoritativeness Maulshree’s work is characterized by depth and historical context. Her coverage of high-stakes state elections and landmark judicial rulings has established her as an authoritative voice on the intersection of law and politics in Northern India. She is frequently recognized for her ability to gain access to primary sources and for her nuanced understanding of the socio-economic factors that drive the world's most populous sub-national entity. Trustworthiness & Ethical Journalism Her reporting is rooted in rigorous fact-checking and a steadfast dedication to neutral, unbiased storytelling. By prioritizing field-based verification—often traveling to the most remote corners of the state—she ensures that her readers receive a truthful and comprehensive view of events. ... Read More

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