The Youth Congress held a demonstration at Chandracharya Chowk in Haridwar on Friday, 18 September 2026, opposing the reported proposal to impose charges on UPI payments. Protesters called for the government to withdraw any plan involving an additional fee.
The demonstration was led by Ankur Saini, president of the Youth Congress’s Haridwar city unit. The organisation said payment charges could affect both members of the public and local traders.
Protesters’ concerns about digital payments
Saini said the government had encouraged people to use digital payments while promoting a cashless economy. He argued that introducing a charge now would place an additional financial burden on users and businesses.
He urged the government to consider public interest and immediately withdraw the proposed measure. Saini also warned that the Congress would launch a wider street protest if the plan was not withdrawn.
Vikas Chandra, district president of the Congress OBC department, said a fee on UPI transactions would increase costs for customers and shopkeepers. He also referred to the pressure of inflation on ordinary people.
The protest was attended by Cash Khurana, Sagar Bainiwal, Deepak Kori, Kartik Sharma, Naman Agrawal and Rajendra Srivastava, among others.
What the protest is seeking
The organisers’ central demand is that no additional charge should be imposed on UPI payments. Their statements presented the proposed fee as a public-interest issue because of its possible effect on everyday users and retailers.
The available information does not establish that a charge has already been imposed. The immediate next step sought by the protesters is the withdrawal of the reported proposal.
Conclusion
The Haridwar Youth Congress has opposed the reported UPI charge proposal and asked the government to withdraw it, warning of a greater burden on users and shopkeepers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where was the demonstration held?
The demonstration took place at Chandracharya Chowk in Haridwar.
Q. Who led the protest?
Ankur Saini, president of the Youth Congress’s Haridwar city unit, led the demonstration.
Q. What did the protesters oppose?
They opposed the reported proposal to impose charges on UPI payments.
Q. What did the Youth Congress demand?
The organisation demanded that the government withdraw any plan to impose an additional fee on UPI payments.
Q. Who else spoke about the issue?
Vikas Chandra, district president of the Congress OBC department, said such a fee could increase the burden on customers and shopkeepers.
Q. What did Ankur Saini warn?
Saini said the Congress would organise a wider street protest if the reported proposal was not withdrawn.
