- “Congress Will Not Allow Dilution of MGNREGA or Compromise on J&K’s Rights,” J&K Congress
Jammu, January 12 : The Congress Party today held a sit-in dharna on MGNREGA Bachao and the “Humari Riyasat, Humara Haq” campaign at JKPCC Headquarters, Shaheedi Chowk, Jammu. The protest was organised as per the directions of AICC and JKPCC leadership, under the leadership of Former Minister J&K and President DCC Jammu Urban, Yogesh Sawhney, Former AICC Secretary and President DCC Jammu Rural, Neeraj Kundan and presided over by Working President JKPCC Raman Bhalla. It witnessed the participation of committed Congress leaders and workers from DCC Jammu (Urban & Rural), who strongly voiced concerns over the erosion of people’s rights and livelihood guarantees in Jammu & Kashmir.
Working President PCC and Former Minister J&K Raman Bhalla said that MGNREGA, which was designed to provide employment and economic security to the poorest sections, is being systematically weakened. He stated that delays in wages, reduction in work days and lack of transparency have badly affected rural households. Bhalla asserted that the Congress will not remain silent spectators and will intensify its agitation until the government restores the full spirit of MGNREGA and ensures timely payments and adequate employment for the needy.
Bhalla further said that the Congress Party is committed to protecting the rights guaranteed under the Constitution and will not allow any attempt to centralise powers at the cost of states and Union Territories. He stressed that the denial of full rights to Jammu & Kashmir has created widespread resentment among the people. Bhalla said that through sustained mass movements like MGNREGA Bachao and Humari Riyasat, Humara Haq, the Congress will continue to mobilise public opinion and force the government to roll back its anti-people policies.
Senior Congress Leader and Observer Jammu Urban Mula Ram said that the policies of the government have pushed common people, especially rural and marginalised communities, into distress. He emphasised that MGNREGA is a lifeline for lakhs of families and any dilution of the scheme is an attack on their survival. He reaffirmed that the Congress stands firmly with the poor and will fight against all anti-people decisions both on the streets and in democratic forums.
Former Minister J&K and President DCC Jammu Urban, Yogesh Sawhney, said that the “Humari Riyasat, Humara Haq” campaign is a fight for constitutional rights and democratic dignity of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. He alleged that the present dispensation has undermined federal principles and ignored genuine public issues. Sawhney said the Congress will take this movement to every section of society and continue peaceful democratic protests to protect the rights, identity and future of the region.
Former AICC Secretary and President DCC Jammu Rural, Neeraj Kundan, said that the dharna reflects the collective resolve of the Congress Party to safeguard employment, development and democratic rights. He stated that rural Jammu is suffering due to unemployment and neglect, and the government has failed to address ground realities. Kundan warned that if the demands are not met, the Congress will further escalate the agitation under the banner of MGNREGA Bachao and Humari Riyasat, Humara Haq.
The protest concluded with a reaffirmation that the Congress Party will continue its struggle in a peaceful and democratic manner until justice is delivered to the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
PCC observers Shri G.M. Saroori, Jugal Kishore Sharma (Ex-Ministers), Kanta Bhan and Subash Gupta (Ex-MLC), besides prominent leaders Ashok Bhagat, Ajay Lakhotra, Iqbal Dar, Rajesh Sharma, Sanjeev Sharma (Panda), Gurbachan Kumari Rana, Anirudh Sawhney (PYC), Anuradha Sharma, Rawan Sudhir, Virender Manhas, Happy Randawah, Mohinder Singh, Ashwani Sethi, Gurdarshan Singh, Neeraj Gupta, Amit Sharma, Diwan Chand, Hans Raj, Sat Pal, Hakumat Raj, Dilawar Singh Sandhu, Ravi Kumar, Parkash Sahi (M. Sarpanch), Romesh Singh (Block Pradhan), Sumeer (Salim) Rashid, Sumit Sharma, Parshotam Singh (Block President, Bishnah), Nayeem Khan, Farooq Khan (Observer), Ashok Kumar, Vijay Pathania, Rashid Berva Ji, Shabnam Mir, Sobo, Rajeet Singh, Vijay Tagotra (Block President, R.S. Pura), Chander Shekhar Sharma, Akhil Sargotra (NSUI), Akhil Dutta (NSUI), Owais Shekhar (NSUI), Farzan (NSUI), Zakir Hussain (NSUI), Mohd Asif (NSUI) participated in the protest dharna.