Varanasi’s Banaras Hindu University (BHU) turned into a flashpoint today when police attempted to halt a peaceful student march organized under the banner ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram’. National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) President claimed the demonstration was non-violent, aimed at safeguarding the rural employment scheme crucial for millions.
The march, led by NSUI activists, sought to highlight the alleged threats to Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), a lifeline for rural India providing 100 days of guaranteed wage employment. Participants carried placards demanding policy reversal and protection of workers’ rights amid reports of funding cuts and implementation hurdles.
Eyewitnesses described a tense standoff as police barricades blocked the procession near the university gates. NSUI leaders accused authorities of suppressing dissent, while officials maintained the action was to prevent disruption on campus. No arrests were made, but the incident sparked debates on student activism and government accountability.
This event underscores growing unrest among youth over economic policies. MGNREGA, launched in 2005, has generated over 3 billion person-days of work annually, but faces criticism for inefficiencies alongside praise for poverty alleviation. NSUI vows to continue the campaign nationwide, calling for solidarity from opposition parties.
As tensions simmer, BHU administration urged restraint, emphasizing dialogue over confrontation. The episode highlights the intersection of campus politics and national labor issues, with students positioning themselves as defenders of the marginalized.