SP workers burn Modi's effigy to protest against rail fare hike

Post the announcement of rail fare hike by the government, the workers of Samajwadi Party (SP) staged a protest in Varanasi on Saturday. They also burnt Prime Minister Narendra Modi's effigy.

The protesters held placards reading anti government slogans and demands to reduce the fare.

Earlier today their party workers in Allahabad brought a train to halt to protest the increased fares.

Raju Yadav, Mahanagar chairperson from Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha criticized Modi led BJP government for making false promises during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections for bringing good days to India and said that these are actually the bad days which the nation is facing.

"BJP has betrayed the people of India. We are protesting against the recent increase in the rail fare, we have also burnt Modi's effigy and we want to tell the government that if they don't reduce the fare then our protest will proceed to the assembly," said Yadav.

The government has increased rail passenger fares by 14.2 percent and freight rates by 6.5 percent, which has led to an outcry by the opposition parties.

The hike has sparked condemnation from all over as earlier today a similar protest was held by Congress workers in New Delhi.