In a violent turn of events, the Uttar Pradesh police resorted to a severe lathi-charge on a group of protesters demanding the proper implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The incident occurred in the state capital, Lucknow, on Thursday, drawing sharp condemnation from the opposition Congress party.
Congress Condemns "Brutal" Police Action
The Indian National Congress launched a scathing attack on the Yogi Adityanath-led state government following the police action. Congress leader Supriya Shrinate accused the government of orchestrating a "trouble-engine-up" administration that suppresses the voices of the poor. She stated that the protest was entirely peaceful, with workers merely seeking their legal right to work and timely wages under the central government scheme.
Shrinate emphasized that MGNREGA is a legal guarantee for 100 days of work, and the protesters, including many women, were rightfully demanding its enforcement. She questioned the government's priorities, asking why it feels threatened by laborers asking for their dues. The Congress party has demanded an immediate inquiry into the incident and action against the officials responsible for ordering the use of force.
Details of the MGNREGA Bachao Protest
The protest was organized under the banner of "MGNREGA Bachao" (Save MGNREGA). A large number of workers from various districts of Uttar Pradesh gathered in Lucknow to highlight the failures in the scheme's implementation. Their primary grievances included:
- Severe delays in wage payments, sometimes stretching for several months.
- Non-payment of unemployment allowances as mandated by the law when work is not provided within 15 days of demand.
- Inadequate provision of the promised 100 days of work per household.
- Issues with the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) app, which requires geo-tagged attendance and often fails in areas with poor internet connectivity.
The protesters planned to march towards the Vidhan Sabha to submit a memorandum outlining their demands. However, they were stopped by a heavy police deployment. According to eyewitness accounts and statements from protest organizers, the police began pushing the crowd back and then used batons, or lathis, to disperse them without significant provocation.
Political Repercussions and Public Outcry
This incident has ignited a fresh political firestorm in Uttar Pradesh. The Congress party has positioned it as evidence of the state government's insensitivity towards the rural poor and working class. The use of force against individuals demanding rights under a flagship central scheme is seen as a significant embarrassment for the administration.
Social activists and labor rights groups have also expressed outrage, calling the lathi-charge unwarranted and excessive. They argue that instead of addressing the genuine concerns of the workers, the state machinery is being used to silence them. The event has brought the ongoing issues plaguing MGNREGA in Uttar Pradesh back into the national spotlight, raising questions about governance and accountability.
The state police have yet to release an official statement detailing their version of the events that led to the lathi-charge. The Uttar Pradesh government has also not commented publicly on the allegations made by the Congress party. As the situation develops, all eyes are on Lucknow to see if any disciplinary action will be taken or if the demands of the MGNREGA workers will be addressed to prevent further unrest.
