AAP Protests in Nabha Against Centre’s Dismantling of MGNREGA, Burns Effigy of PM Modi

Chandigarh/Nabha, January 8, 2026: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday staged a massive protest at Patiala Gate in Nabha against what it termed the BJP-led central government’s systematic dismantling of the MGNREGA scheme. Hundreds of MGNREGA workers took to the streets, raising slogans against the Centre and burning an effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to register their anger over the anti-poor policy changes in the flagship employment guarantee scheme.
 
Talking to the media, AAP MLA Gurdev Singh Dev Maan said that while the Centre may change the name of MGNREGA if it wishes, what is unacceptable is the complete change in its policy and intent. “The Modi government has altered the very soul of MGNREGA. Its new policies are aimed at crushing the poor, strangling their livelihoods and pushing them deeper into poverty,” Dev Maan said.
 
He accused the Centre of betraying the very people who have built the nation with their hard labour. “From roads and fields to towering buildings, from needles to aircraft, this country is built by workers. Yet today, the same workers are being attacked. Those who formed governments by taking votes from the poor since 1947 are now punishing them,” he added.
 
The MLA also strongly opposed the Centre’s decision to shift 40 percent of MGNREGA funding burden onto states, calling it “completely unjustified and anti-federal.” “How will states bear this additional burden? This is a direct assault on the federal structure and an attempt to weaken welfare schemes,” he said.
 
Dev Maan thanked Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for convening a special session of the Vidhan Sabha and raising a united voice in defence of MGNREGA. “The Punjab Assembly, under the leadership of CM Bhagwant Mann, has categorically demanded the Centre to restore MGNREGA in its original form and withdraw these anti-poor changes,” he said, adding that AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal, senior leaders Manish Sisodia, Aman Arora, and the entire party stand firmly with MGNREGA workers.
 
AAP leader Amrik Singh Bangar was also present at the protest, expressing solidarity with the workers and condemning the Centre’s policies that, he said, are pushing millions of poor families to the brink.
 
Speaking on the occasion, AAP SC Wing President Gurpreet Singh GP said that the party is leading statewide protests in defence of MGNREGA. “AAP is holding demonstrations across Punjab. Yesterday we protested in Jalandhar, today in Nabha, and this movement will intensify across the state,” he said.
 
Gurpreet Singh GP accused the BJP-led Centre of consistently attacking the rights of farmers, workers and marginalised sections. “First, three black farm laws were imposed on farmers. Then there were attempts to undermine the Constitution. Now, through new MGNREGA laws, working women and poor families are being hit the hardest. We will not accept this injustice,” he asserted.
 
He warned that the agitation would continue until the Centre rolls back the changes. “Our struggle will go on until Modi withdraws these anti-labourers policies. Punjab has always resisted injustice, and we will not tolerate continued discrimination against our state and our people,” he said.
 
The AAP leaders reiterated that the poor are not weak or fearful. “They are the real owners of this country. Any attempt to snatch their rights will be met with strong resistance,” they declared, vowing to take the fight for MGNREGA workers to every corner of Punjab and beyond.