poonch congress protest
POONCH MIRROR NEWS DESK JANUARY 15,2026
Poonch (Jammu & Kashmir), 15 January 2026 In a powerful demonstration of political solidarity with its ongoing nationwide agitation, the Indian National Congress today orchestrated a significant protest at the Poonch District Headquarters, marking the latest chapter in a sustained campaign across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The protest, which drew hundreds of party workers and local residents, was led by Congress Poonch District President Mr. Shehnawaz Chaudhary and was joined by senior leaders including Congress leader and DDC member Loraan Mr. Chowdhary Riyaz Bashir Naz, reflecting the party’s deepening engagement with grassroots mobilization.
The rally was held against the backdrop of the Congress party’s broader nationwide movement demanding the protection and reinforcement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and advocating for the rights of rural workers and vulnerable communities. Across the country, and particularly throughout the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, the party has been organizing coordinated protests to highlight its objections to recent policy shifts that, according to Congress leadership, undermine the objectives of the MGNREGA and threaten the welfare of the poor.
As the crisp winter sun bathed the historic town of Poonch, the protest began with a vibrant gathering of party activists, women’s groups, youth volunteers, and local villagers who marched towards the district headquarters holding placards that read Save MGNREGA, Protect Rural Rights, and Employment Is Our Right. The atmosphere was charged with passion and resolve, underlining the collective determination of the participants to press for sustained governmental attention to rural employment and social justice issues.
Taking to the podium amidst chants of solidarity, Mr. Shehnawaz Chaudhary, District President of the Congress Party in Poonch, delivered an impassioned address that resonated with the crowd. Today, we stand united not just as Congress members, but as custodians of the rights of every rural worker, every farmer, and every family whose livelihood depends on MGNREGA, Mr. Chaudhary asserted, his voice echoing with conviction. This is not merely a political struggle this is a moral imperative. We have come together in Poonch, just as our colleagues have rallied across the country, to ensure that the voices of our people are heard loud and clear.
Chaudhary’s address underscored the linkage between the national agitation and the localized expression of discontent in Poonch. From Srinagar to Kanyakumari, from the plains of Uttar Pradesh to the mountains of Jammu & Kashmir, the Congress party is mobilizing for justice, livelihoods, and dignity for all citizens. Our protest here in Poonch stands in solidarity with every Indian who seeks fairness, equitable governance, and the preservation of basic rights enshrined under MGNREGA.
Prominent among those supporting the protest was Chowdhary Riyaz Bashir Naz, a Congress leader and District Development Council (DDC) member Loraan, who emphasized the urgent need for proactive policies that consider the socio‑economic challenges faced by rural communities. MGNREGA is more than a scheme, he said. It is a lifeline for millions of families who rely on it for food security, economic stability, and dignity. Today, as we stand at the Poonch headquarters, we are asserting that no policy change overt or subtle can erode the fundamental rights of our people.
The protest unfolded with disciplined fervor, reflecting a well‑organized and peaceful demonstration rooted in democratic expression. Congress workers voiced their demands through speeches, slogans, and symbolic gestures, while making clear their expectation that local and national authorities urgently engage with their concerns. Many participants spoke to reporters on the ground, underscoring the deep emotional and economic stakes involved.
Local residents who joined the rally praised the leadership of the Congress for amplifying their voice. This protest is our hope, said one villager who traveled several kilometers to participate. We want our children to have food, work, and a future. Today we stand here to ensure our message reaches Delhi as firmly as it resonates here in Poonch.
The protest concluded with a pledge by the Congress leaders and workers to sustain the momentum of their movement. They reiterated their commitment to non‑violent democratic action and assured that the party would continue organizing peaceful demonstrations until the government addresses the core demands related to MGNREGA reforms and rural welfare.
As the sun set over the picturesque landscapes of Poonch, the resonance of today’s protest reflected not just a political exercise, but a collective assertion of democratic rights binding the local with the national in a tapestry of civic activism. In the days ahead, more such protests are anticipated across the region, aligning firmly with the Congress party’s strategy to elevate rural issues to the forefront of national discourse.
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