Lucknow: The Indian National Congress on Tuesday organized a massive protest in the Uttar Pradesh capital under its “Save MGNREGA Campaign,” accusing the state and central governments of weakening the rural employment guarantee scheme and suppressing democratic dissent.
Party workers from across Uttar Pradesh gathered in Lucknow to march towards the State Assembly. However, heavy police deployment and multiple barricades were put in place to prevent the proposed gherao (siege) of the Assembly. Several Congress leaders and workers were later detained and taken to an alleged temporary detention facility at Eco Garden.
“MGNREGA is the Backbone of Rural Economy”
Uttar Pradesh in-charge Avinash Pandey said that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was not merely an employment scheme but “the backbone of rural India’s economic structure.”
He stated that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the scheme proved to be a lifeline for migrant workers by providing employment opportunities in their native villages. According to him, MGNREGA strengthened rural income, agriculture, infrastructure, women’s empowerment, and social security. He alleged that the central government was attempting to weaken the scheme and asserted that the Congress has launched a nationwide campaign to safeguard it through public meetings, protests, and awareness drives in every district.
Clashes During Assembly March
Despite prior notices and reported house detentions of several leaders, thousands of Congress workers managed to reach Lucknow in response to the call given by state Congress president Ajay Rai and Avinash Pandey.
As protesters attempted to march toward the Assembly, police resorted to baton charges to disperse the crowd. Ajay Rai and several party leaders were reportedly injured during the confrontation.
Condemning the police action, Ajay Rai said the Congress would continue to fight for the rights of MGNREGA workers, the poor, and marginalized communities “from the streets to the legislature.” He declared that party workers would “neither fear, nor bow, nor stop” in their struggle against what he termed anti-people policies.
Women’s Employment Concerns Raised
Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in Uttar Pradesh, Aradhana Mishra ‘Mona’, said that MGNREGA had provided dignified employment opportunities to women within their villages. She alleged that weakening the scheme exposed the government’s “anti-women stance.”
She emphasized that the core objective of MGNREGA was to ensure employment at the village level so that workers would not be forced to migrate, leaving their families behind in search of livelihood.
Leaders and Workers Detained
Among those detained were senior leaders including Avinash Pandey, Ajay Rai, Rajya Sabha Deputy Leader of Opposition Pramod Tiwari, Aradhana Mishra ‘Mona’, and several other office bearers and legislators.
The Congress termed the police action as “undemocratic and repressive,” while reiterating that its agitation would intensify if the government failed to address concerns related to pending wage payments and alleged dilution of the employment scheme.
The protest witnessed participation from numerous district and city Congress presidents, former legislators, MPs, and hundreds of party workers from across the state.
