Defending Gandhi’s Legacy: Congress Rises Against MNREGA Weakening & Renaming
In a powerful show of resolve, State Congress President Vinay Kumar declared that the party will not allow Mahatma Gandhi’s name to be erased or dishonored. He accused the BJP of attempting to weaken the very spirit of MNREGA, a law that once guaranteed employment to millions of poor and marginalized citizens. To counter this, Congress is preparing a nationwide awareness campaign to protect both Gandhi’s legacy and the rights of the poor.
Speaking at a protest in Shimla, Kumar reminded people that MNREGA was introduced by the UPA government under Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Dr. Manmohan Singh, after more than 100 hours of parliamentary debate. He contrasted this with the Modi government’s overnight passage of changes, which he said tramples on the rights of farmers and workers.
Congress leaders including Vidit Chaudhary, Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh, MLA Harish Janartha, and Mayor Surendra Chauhan echoed these concerns. They accused the BJP of insulting the Father of the Nation, destabilizing elected governments, and stripping away hard-won rights like the Right to Information, Food, and Work.
To intensify their protest, the Himachal Pradesh Congress has announced a hunger strike on December 29th at the historic Ridge Maidan, in front of Gandhi’s statue. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, cabinet members, MLAs, former MPs, and party workers will join the strike, signaling a united front against what they call an “anti-farmer, anti-poor” law.
This movement is not just about a name—it’s about safeguarding dignity, livelihoods, and the values Gandhi stood for.
