Congress Accuses Yogi-Modi Government of Brutality Against Peaceful Protesters in Varanasi

The Congress party has accused the Uttar Pradesh government of ordering police to violently disperse NSUI protesters during a peaceful march in Varanasi. This incident occurred as part of the party's nationwide campaign, ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram’, aimed at opposing the repeal of the rural employment law. Jairam Ramesh, a senior Congress leader, shared video evidence of the police's actions, claiming the demonstration was conducted peacefully within constitutional rights. The Congress is demanding the restoration of MGNREGA and plans to continue its agitation until February 25, with various activities scheduled across the country.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 11, 2026, 20:46 IST

Allegations of Police Brutality in Varanasi

New Delhi: On Sunday, the Congress party accused the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Yogi Adityanath and Narendra Modi, of instructing police to violently disperse NSUI protesters during a peaceful demonstration in Varanasi, part of the party's nationwide campaign titled ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram’.

Jairam Ramesh, Congress's general secretary for communications, shared a video that allegedly shows police using force against the demonstrators.

In Varanasi, which is Prime Minister Modi's parliamentary constituency, students, led by NSUI national president Varun Chaudhary, participated in the ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram’ march, as noted by Ramesh in a post on X.

He claimed, “This was a completely peaceful and democratic protest conducted within the bounds of constitutional rights, yet the Yogi-Modi government was so intimidated by the prospect of accountability that it ordered a brutal police response against the protesters.”

The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) serves as the student wing of the Congress party.

The Congress initiated its 45-day nationwide campaign, MGNREGA Bachao Sangram, on Saturday, aiming to oppose the repeal of the UPA-era rural employment law by conducting press conferences across all districts.

The opposition party's movement seeks the repeal of the VB-G RAM G Act and the reinstatement of MGNREGA as a rights-based law, emphasizing the right to work and the authority of local panchayats, with activities planned until February 25.

Press conferences were held at district headquarters on Saturday to discuss the repeal of MGNREGA and its replacement by the VB-G RAM G Act during the Winter Session of Parliament.

This was followed by a day of fasting and symbolic protests at district headquarters on Sunday.

From January 12 to 29, community meetings and outreach programs will be organized at all gram panchayats, culminating in peaceful sit-ins at the ward level from January 30 to advocate for the right to work.

State-level protests at Vidhan Sabhas are scheduled from February 7 to 15, with four major rallies planned between February 16 and 25 to conclude the nationwide movement, according to party officials.

The Congress is demanding the complete repeal of the VB-G RAM G law and the restoration of MGNREGA.

It has been noted that while the protests against the now-repealed “black” farm laws were centered in Delhi, the MGNREGA Bachao Sangram will focus on local levels including panchayats, blocks, districts, and states.

The Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-G RAM G, was passed with a voice vote amidst protests in the Rajya Sabha on December 18, 2025, shortly after the Lok Sabha approved it.

On December 21, President Droupadi Murmu signed the Bill into law, which guarantees 125 days of wage employment for each rural household every financial year.