SRINAGAR: Authorities on Monday barred the Awami Itihaad Party from holding peaceful protests in Bandipora and Baramulla districts against the recent amendments to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, drawing sharp criticism from the party.
AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi condemned the restrictions, alleging that the administration prevented party leaders and workers from assembling to raise public concerns over what he described as anti-worker and anti-poor changes to the employment guarantee scheme.
In a statement, Inam Un Nabi said the decision to disallow the protests reflected intolerance towards democratic dissent and an attempt to silence voices questioning policies that have a direct bearing on livelihoods in rural areas.
He said several senior party leaders were barred from participating in the proposed demonstrations, including AIP General Secretary Prince Parveez, District Development Council member Muzaffar Dar, Prof Naseer Rather, Ajaz Lone, Mohammad Akbar, Farooq Ahmad and Inayat Ahmad.
“Preventing political leaders from peacefully expressing people’s grievances amounts to a direct assault on democratic norms and constitutional rights,” the AIP spokesperson said.
Despite the restrictions, the party said it would go ahead with a peaceful sit-in protest as scheduled on Tuesday at Lal Chowk in Anantnag district to oppose the amendments to MGNREGA.
