# Rahul Gandhi demands UPI charge rollback, attacks Modi on Trump

2026-09-16T12:11:45+00:00 | Politics | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 6 independent outlets

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday demanded an immediate rollback of the government's decision to levy a fee on UPI transactions, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of 'prostrating' before US President Donald Trump. In a video posted on X, Gandhi urged Modi to 'have a spine' and withdraw what he called the 'UPI tax'. The government on Tuesday introduced a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI merchant transfers above Rs 2,000 from October 15, while keeping person-to-person transactions and small payments free. The Congress has alleged the move was due to US pressure. The finance ministry denied this, saying the decision was made independently to build a self-sustaining digital payments ecosystem. The BJP accused the Congress of spreading 'fake news'.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

The finance ministry's clarification that the UPI fee was not due to foreign influence is absent from most Congress-attributed reports, which instead lead with Gandhi's personal attack on Modi. The government's data, that 95% of merchant transactions stay free and small vendors are exempt, is only carried fully by Hindustan Times. The coverage splits along partisan lines: opposition outlets frame the fee as a tax on every Indian, while government-aligned reporting emphasises the self-sustainability goal. The consumer impact will depend on whether merchants pass the 0.4% charge to customers.

## Coverage

- thefederal.com (government critical) <https://thefederal.com/category/news/rahul-attacks-modi-on-new-upi-charges-256762>
  Leads with Rahul Gandhi's accusation of Modi prostrating before Trump
- economictimes.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/prime-minister-has-decided-to-prostrate-before-trump-rahul-gandhi-on-upi-tax/articleshow/134286085.cms>
  Reports both Rahul's attack and BJP's denial without added framing
- indiatvnews.com (government critical) <https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/roll-back-upi-tax-rahul-gandhi-slams-centre-over-new-charge-claims-pm-modi-has-surrendered-before-trump-2026-09-16-1054404>
  Focuses on Rahul Gandhi's demand for rollback, omits government defence
- newindianexpress.com (government critical) <https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Sep/16/have-a-spine-stand-up-rahul-gandhi-urges-centre-to-roll-back-decision-on-levying-fee-on-upi-payments>
  Leads with Gandhi's 'have a spine' quote, no government response included
- timesnownews.com (government critical) <https://www.timesnownews.com/india/modi-ji-roll-back-upi-tax-now-rahul-castigates-pm-modi-says-dont-lie-in-front-of-trump-article-156168816>
  Highlights Gandhi's 'surrendering' allegation, omits finance ministry clarification
- hindustantimes.com (pro government) <https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/centre-debunks-external-pressure-myth-over-foreign-influence-goal-to-build-101789557221264.html>
  Leads with government's denial of foreign influence, details UPI fee exemptions

Tags: BJP, Donald Trump, Narendra Modi, NPCI, Rahul Gandhi, UPI
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