A powerful Congress-led agitation gripped Sawai Madhopur today, with top leaders observing fast and staging dharna to defend MGNREGA against alleged sabotage. AICC Secretary and Assembly’s Deputy Leader fasted publicly, galvanizing workers furious over scheme’s steady erosion.
The site buzzed with activity: makeshift stages hosted testimonials from affected families, while volunteers distributed water to steadfast protesters. ‘We’ve built ponds, roads, and hope – now they want to bury it all,’ lamented a village sarpanch.
Key flashpoints include a 27% budget slash this fiscal year, ballooning payment arrears topping ₹2,000 crore in Rajasthan, and stringent biometric mandates excluding landless laborers. Critics slam these as deliberate hurdles to phase out the UPA-era guarantee.
Protesters submitted a memorandum to district authorities, demanding PMO intervention for 150-day jobs per household, wage hikes to ₹300/day, and transparent audits. Youth wings added tech-savvy flair, live-streaming the event to lakhs online.
Senior leader’s participation lent gravitas, drawing media frenzy and opposition from local BJP. ‘Empty promises won’t fill stomachs,’ he retorted to hecklers. Families brought homemade food, turning the protest into a community feast minus the fasters.
This mirrors rising unrest in states like Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, signaling a pan-India Congress push. With bypolls around the corner, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Day one ended with resolve intact. Tomorrow promises escalated actions, as ‘Save MGNREGA’ echoes from Rajasthan’s heartland to the national capital.