The student wing of the Congress party, the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), organized demonstrations on Sunday in multiple cities of Uttar Pradesh. The protests were directed against the VB-GRAMG scheme, with participants raising slogans critical of the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Protests and Detentions in Lucknow
In the state capital Lucknow, NSUI workers gathered to voice their opposition to the scheme. The protest led to a swift response from law enforcement. Security personnel detained several protesters as the agitation unfolded. Visuals shared by news agency ANI showed police moving in to manage the situation as slogans were raised by the demonstrating students.
Heightened Security in Varanasi
Meanwhile, a significant security blanket was thrown around Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public outreach office in his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi. This precaution was taken ahead of a proposed "Save MGNREGA" march called by the NSUI. Officials confirmed that all routes leading to the PM's office were placed under strict surveillance by a combined force of police and paramilitary personnel.
Drone footage released by the Varanasi Police illustrated the extensive arrangements on the ground. The area was fortified with barricades and a heavy deployment of forces to prevent any potential law-and-order issues. ANI had earlier reported that these security measures were implemented as a precautionary step in view of the planned student march.
Context and Aftermath
The protests underscore the ongoing political friction surrounding government schemes. The NSUI's actions on Sunday brought the issue into public focus in two major UP cities. While the Lucknow protest resulted in detentions, the pre-emptive security in Varanasi ensured the march did not lead to a major confrontation near the Prime Minister's office. The events highlight the active role of student political bodies in national policy debates and the administration's focus on maintaining public order.
