AIP Sit-in Against MGNREGA Amendments Foiled, Party Terms Act ‘Assault on Democratic Dissent’

Alfaaz – The Words Desk

Srinagar: The Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) on Saturday strongly criticised the administration after police prevented the party from holding a peaceful sit-in against recent amendments to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

While talking to Alfaaz – The Words, AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi termed the police action a “direct assault on democratic dissent,” accusing the administration of using coercive measures to silence political voices raising concerns over policies affecting rural livelihoods. He also condemned the reported house arrest of senior party leaders, including MLA Langate Sheikh Khursheed, party spokesperson Peerzada Firdouse Baba, District Development Council (DDC) member Muzaffar Dar, and others calling it a deliberate attempt to silence opposition.

“The proposed sit-in was aimed at highlighting the systematic weakening of MGNREGA through recent amendments that undermine employment guarantees, wage security and the scheme’s core objective of livelihood protection for rural poor,” said Nabi, adding “When people demand answers on their right to work and wages, they are met with police action instead of dialogue.”

Taking strong exception to the rechristening of MGNREGA-related documentation under the name ‘VB GRAM G’, the AIP spokesperson said the move was ill-conceived and insensitive. He pointed out that government files and documents frequently end up discarded or mishandled and, prima facie, attaching the name “Ram” to such paperwork raises serious ethical concerns.

“We respect and revere all religions and every religious figure. Does it behove the government to allow the name of a revered figure to be scattered in offices, dustbins or unwanted places through routine files and documents? This decision reflects a lack of sensitivity and needs immediate reconsideration,” Nabi said.

Accusing the administration of politicising welfare schemes while denying people the democratic right to protest, he asserted that peaceful dissent is a constitutional guarantee, not a concession. “Criminalising protest over MGNREGA amounts to silencing the rural poor and shielding flawed policies from public scrutiny,” he said.

The AIP spokesperson demanded an immediate end to what he termed “preventive repression” and urged the administration to allow the party’s peaceful protest scheduled for Monday in Baramulla. “Democracy cannot function through house arrests and prohibitory orders. If elected representatives are restrained from speaking for the people, governance loses its moral legitimacy,” he added.

He warned that continued denial of democratic space would deepen alienation and reinforce the perception that genuine public grievances, particularly those of marginalised and rural communities, are being deliberately ignored.