Jamtara: The Congress party on Monday staged a massive and aggressive protest in Jamtara against the alleged tampering with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the reported move to alter its name. A large number of Congress workers, women, and youth participated in the demonstration, raising slogans against the central government’s policies. The protest took the shape of a public movement, creating strong political momentum across the region.
Addressing the gathering, Jharkhand government minister launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led central government. He said that MGNREGA is a historic contribution of the Congress, introduced to provide a legal guarantee of employment to farmers, labourers, and the poor. He alleged that the BJP is attempting to weaken the scheme and gradually dismantle it.
Dr. Ansari stated that the BJP has never supported the welfare of the poor. He accused the party of trying to burden states through provisions like the 60:40 cost-sharing formula and of engaging in “name-changing politics” to dilute the essence of the scheme. He warned that if MGNREGA is weakened or its name is changed, the Congress will intensify its struggle from the streets to the legislature.
He further said that unemployment and inflation have reached alarming levels, the youth are distressed, and the central government has failed to generate jobs. In such a situation, any interference with MGNREGA amounts to a direct attack on the rights of the poor and rural workers.
Jamtara District Congress President Deepika Besra described the protest as historic and thanked party workers for their participation. She said the Congress will not allow any tampering with MGNREGA and will continue to fight unitedly for the rights of the people.
Senior leader Nishapati Hansda termed the BJP as anti-poor and anti-tribal, alleging that the party has consistently acted against the interests of common people and Adivasi communities.
During the protest, Congress workers raised slogans against the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from MGNREGA, increasing unemployment, and rising inflation. Party leaders reiterated that if required, the movement would be intensified further to safeguard the rights of poor, farmers, and labourers.
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