On Gandhi Jayanti, Trinamool Congress (TMC) party workers gathered at Rajghat in Delhi to protest against the central government’s alleged lack of fund allocation for key social security schemes in West Bengal.
The workers are particularly concerned about the disbursement of funds for schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the AWAS Yojana.
However, their protest was met with multiple obstacles, including the denial of permissions and the cancellation of transportation.
The Alleged Attempts to Block the Protests
Trinamool Congress (TMC) had faced several attempts to block their protest at Rajghat. Permissions were denied, and trains and flights were canceled, preventing workers from converging in the national capital.
The obstacles placed in the way of the protest raised questions about the government’s willingness to address the concerns of the people.
Allegedly the central government’s failure to disburse funds to West Bengal for schemes like MGNREGA and AWAS Yojana has triggered discontent among Trinamool workers.
Verbal Permission and Written Permission Still Pending
Trinamool leader Abhishek Banerjee revealed that while verbal permission had been granted for the protest at Jantar Mantar, written permission was still pending.
The imposition of Section 144 in the area further complicated the situation. The delay and ambiguity surrounding permission for the protest raised concerns about the government’s stance on dissent and peaceful demonstrations.
The timing of the protest coincided with Trinamool leader Abhishek Banerjee being summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation into a cash-for-school job scam.
The summoning of the party leader and the refusal to provide special trains for MGNREGA job card holders from West Bengal to reach Delhi have led Trinamool Congress to accuse the central government of attempting to stifle their rightful demands.
The Determination to Fight
Trinamool Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Susmita Dev denounced the central government’s actions, declaring that the BJP had declared war on the people of Bengal by obstructing their journey to the protest.
Despite the refusal of special trains and the cancellation of a flight by Vistara airlines, the people of Bengal were resolute in their determination to reach Delhi and raise their voices against the central government’s alleged negligence.
Thousands of MGNREGA job card holders from West Bengal embarked on a journey to the national capital, traveling in several buses arranged by Trinamool Congress.
The protesters aimed to highlight the urgent need for the payment of arrears for 100 days of work under the MGNREGA scheme.
The protests held by Trinamool Congress workers at Rajghat in Delhi have brought to the forefront the grievances of the people of West Bengal regarding the central government’s alleged failure to disburse funds for crucial social security schemes.
