The Congress on Monday staged a sit-in dharna in Jammu under the banners ‘MGNREGA Bachao’ and ‘Humari Riyasat, Humara Haq’, asserting that it would strongly oppose any dilution of the rural employment scheme and any compromise on the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The protest was organised on the directions of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and was led by Pradesh Congress Committee Working President and former minister Raman Bhalla, along with former minister Yogesh Sawhney.
Addressing the protesters, Raman Bhalla alleged that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)—designed to provide employment and economic security to the poorest sections of society—is being deliberately weakened. He said issues such as delayed wage payments, reduced workdays and lack of transparency have severely impacted rural households.
“This movement is about protecting people’s livelihoods and constitutional rights. Congress will not allow any weakening of MGNREGA or the dilution of Jammu and Kashmir’s rights,” Bhalla said, adding that the party would intensify its agitation until the scheme is implemented in its true spirit with timely wage payments and adequate employment opportunities.
Bhalla also reiterated the party’s commitment to safeguarding constitutional values and opposing any move to centralise power at the cost of states and Union territories. He claimed that the continued denial of full rights to Jammu and Kashmir has created deep resentment among the people.
Former minister Yogesh Sawhney said the ‘Humari Riyasat, Humara Haq’ campaign represents a fight for the constitutional rights and democratic dignity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Alleging an erosion of federal principles, he said the Congress would take the movement to every section of society through peaceful and democratic means.(KINS)
