Congress holds Dharna in Jammu to defend MGNREGA and democratic rights

Jammu: The Congress Party today staged a sit-in dharna at the JKPCC Headquarters, Shaheedi Chowk, Jammu, in support of the MGNREGA Bachao and “Humari Riyasat, Humara Haq” campaigns. The protest was organised in accordance with the directions of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC).

The dharna was led by Former Minister J&K and President DCC Jammu Urban, Yogesh Sawhney, and Former AICC Secretary and President DCC Jammu Rural, Neeraj Kundan, and was presided over by Working President JKPCC and Former Minister J&K, Raman Bhalla. It witnessed the active participation of senior Congress leaders, office-bearers, and workers from DCC Jammu (Urban and Rural), who strongly voiced their concerns over the dilution of people’s rights and livelihood guarantees in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing the gathering, Working President PCC Raman Bhalla said that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), conceived to provide employment and economic security to the poorest sections, is being systematically weakened. He pointed out that delays in wage payments, reduction in workdays, and lack of transparency have severely impacted rural households. Bhalla asserted that the Congress Party will not remain silent spectators and will intensify its agitation until the government restores the true spirit of MGNREGA and ensures timely wages and adequate employment for the needy.

Bhalla further emphasized that the Congress is firmly committed to safeguarding the constitutional rights of the people and will resist any attempt to centralize powers at the cost of states and Union Territories. He said the denial of full democratic rights to Jammu and Kashmir has generated widespread resentment, adding that through sustained mass movements like MGNREGA Bachao and Humari Riyasat, Humara Haq, the Congress will continue to mobilize public opinion and compel the government to roll back anti-people policies.

Senior Congress leader and Observer Jammu Urban, Mula Ram, stated that the government’s policies have pushed common people, particularly rural and marginalized communities, into distress. He described MGNREGA as a lifeline for lakhs of families and warned that any dilution of the scheme amounts to an attack on their survival. Reiterating the party’s resolve, he said the Congress will fight anti-people decisions both on the streets and within democratic institutions.

Former Minister J&K and President DCC Jammu Urban, Yogesh Sawhney, said that the “Humari Riyasat, Humara Haq” campaign is a struggle for constitutional rights and democratic dignity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He alleged that the present dispensation has undermined federal principles and neglected genuine public issues. Sawhney asserted that the Congress will carry this movement to every section of society through peaceful and democratic means to protect the rights, identity, and future of the region.

Former AICC Secretary and President DCC Jammu Rural, Neeraj Kundan, said the dharna reflects the collective resolve of the Congress Party to safeguard employment, development, and democratic rights. He highlighted the growing unemployment and neglect in rural Jammu, stating that the government has failed to address ground realities. Kundan warned that if the demands are ignored, the Congress will further escalate its agitation under the banners 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 and Kashmir.

Among those present were PCC observers Shri G.M. Saroori, Jugal Kishore Sharma (Ex-Ministers), Kanta Bhan and Subash Gupta (Ex-MLC), along with prominent leaders including 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), and Mohd Asif (NSUI), who actively participated in the protest dharna.