Congress Stages Symbolic Protest, Accuses BJP of Undermining MGNREGA and Constitutional Norms
Demonstrators Don RSS Attire and BJP Leader Masks to Decry “Puppet” Governor and “Anti-People” Central Policies
In a striking display of political theatrics, Karnataka Congress workers staged a vehement protest in Bengaluru on Tuesday, lambasting the BJP-led central government for its recent overhaul of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and condemning the state’s Governor for alleged “unconstitutional conduct.” The demonstration, marked by participants wearing attire associated with the RSS and masks of BJP leaders, aimed to portray the Governor as a “puppet” of the ruling party at the centre.
“ಗಾಂಧಿ ಹೆಸರು, ಸಂವಿಧಾನ ಮೌಲ್ಯಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ ದಾಳಿ”: ಎನ್ರೇಗಾ ಬದಲಾವಣೆ, ರಾಜ್ಯಪಾಲರ ನಡತೆ ಖಂಡನೆಗೆ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಅಣಕು ಪ್ರತಿಭಟನೆ
A Protest Against Policy and Protocol
The protest, orchestrated under the guidance of KPCC General Secretary S. Manohar, served a dual purpose. Manohar framed the event as a direct challenge to the central government’s authority, stating, “This protest is a clear warning against the BJP government’s cowardly and anti-people policies. We are here to defend democracy and the Constitution from their systematic assault.”
Primarily, the demonstration targeted the central government’s decision to restructure and rename the flagship rural jobs scheme. Congress leaders alleged that the move, which reportedly involves rebranding the scheme under a different name, is not only “anti-people” but also a direct assault on the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi.
“The BJP government is conspiring to weaken NREGA, which will increase unemployment. They are trying to erase Mahatma Gandhi’s name,” a Congress spokesperson stated during the event. “But while the BJP may erase Gandhi’s name from a scheme, they can never erase his path of non-violence, his ideals of sacrifice, and his thoughts from the hearts of the people of this country.”
Constitutional Confrontation: The Governor in the Crosshairs
The second major flashpoint was the conduct of Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot. Protesters accused him of violating constitutional propriety by allegedly refusing to read the entirety of the government-prepared speech under Article 176 during the recent legislative assembly session and leaving the house before the national anthem was played. These actions, the Congress claims, demonstrate a pattern of behaving as a “remote-controlled puppet” of the central BJP leadership, thereby undermining democratic traditions.
Chants of “Go back, Governor, go back!” echoed during the protest, highlighting the deepening rift between the state’s elected government and the Raj Bhavan. The Congress argued that such actions pose a “serious threat” to the nation’s democratic system.
Symbolism and Staged Demonstrations
The protest’s visual symbolism was meticulously crafted for maximum impact. By wearing RSS-style uniforms and masks of BJP leaders, demonstrators sought to visually cement their accusation of a seamless, subservient alliance between the Governor, the BJP, and its ideological fountainhead. This “mock display” was intended to satirize and criticize what the Congress perceives as the erosion of autonomous constitutional offices.
Congress’s Stance: A Message of Resistance
Through the demonstration, the Karnataka Congress aimed to position itself as the defender of both federal rights and constitutional propriety. The party framed its protest not merely as a political disagreement but as a necessary stand for democratic principles.
The event saw active participation from several Congress figures, including media spokesperson Anand Kumar M.S., and party workers Sudhakar, M.A. Saleem, Ranjeet, Naveen, Puttaraju, Obalesh, and Chinni Prakash.
Analysis: Escalating Federal Tensions
This protest underscores the escalating tensions in Indian federalism, where disagreements over policy are increasingly compounded by charges of constitutional overreach. The targeting of a state Governor by the ruling party in that state marks a significant escalation in political rhetoric, setting the stage for continued institutional clashes. The Congress’s decision to use potent symbolic imagery reflects a strategy to translate complex issues of policy and protocol into easily digestible public messaging, as it seeks to challenge the BJP’s narrative ahead of crucial electoral battles.
Key Quotes – S. Manohar, KPCC:
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“This protest is a clear warning against the BJP government’s cowardly and anti-people policies. We are here to defend democracy and the Constitution from their systematic assault.”
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“ಬಿಜೆಪಿ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ರಣಹೇಡಿ ಮತ್ತು ಜನವಿರೋಧಿ ನೀತಿಗಳ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ಇದು ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟ ಎಚ್ಚರಿಕೆ. ಅವರ ಕ್ರಮಬದ್ಧ ದಾಳಿಯಿಂದ ಪ್ರಜಾಪ್ರಭುತ್ವ ಮತ್ತು ಸಂವಿಧಾನವನ್ನು ರಕ್ಷಿಸಲು ನಾವು ಇಲ್ಲಿದ್ದೇವೆ.”
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“They are trying to erase Mahatma Gandhi’s name… but they can never erase his path of non-violence and his ideals from the hearts of the people.”
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“ಅವರು ಮಹಾತ್ಮ ಗಾಂಧಿ ಅವರ ಹೆಸರನ್ನು ಅಳಿಸಲು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ… ಆದರೆ ಅವರ ಅಹಿಂಸೆಯ ಮಾರ್ಗ ಮತ್ತು ಆದರ್ಶಗಳನ್ನು ಜನರ ಹೃದಯದಿಂದ ಅಳಿಸಲು ಅವರಿಂದ ಸಾಧ್ಯವಿಲ್ಲ.”
