In Uttar Pradesh, India, protests against the installation of prepaid smart meters are escalating, with demonstrators expressing their frustrations in cities like Fatehpur, Agra, Aligarh, Firozabad, and Hathras. Many consumers view these meters as a coercive measure that leads to higher electricity charges and sudden disconnections. Protests intensified after automatic disconnections began in March, creating a political flashpoint as opposition parties, particularly the Samajwadi Party led by Akhilesh Yadav, accuse the government of corruption and fraud related to the smart meter initiative. Yadav questioned the integrity of the system, drawing parallels to the security of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). In response, Uttar Pradesh Power Minister A K Sharma defended the initiative, claiming improvements in electricity supply and dismissing allegations of inflated bills. Amid the growing unrest, the state government has paused new smart meter installations while power corporation officials work to address consumer grievances and clarify the guidelines surrounding prepaid billing.