‘DK DK’ slogans dominate Congress protest against Centre over MGNREGA name change

Bengaluru ;Senior Congress leaders in Karnataka on Tuesday staged a massive protest in Bengaluru against the Union government’s decision to amend and rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), with loud “DK DK” slogans dominating both the stage and the crowd. The ‘Raj Bhavan Chalo’ agitation, led by KPCC president and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, saw strong mobilisation of party workers who repeatedly hailed him as he spearheaded the protest.

The demonstration began at Freedom Park, where Congress leaders and workers raised slogans against the Narendra Modi-led Union government, accusing it of attempting to erase Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy by altering the name of the flagship rural employment law. Protesters alleged that the move was part of a broader effort to weaken welfare schemes that benefit the rural poor.

Throughout the protest, chants of “DK DK” echoed across the venue, underlining Shivakumar’s prominence in the agitation. Addressing the gathering amid loud slogans, Shivakumar said the Congress would not remain silent until the original name of MGNREGA was restored. He described the Act as a symbol of dignity of labour and social justice, asserting that any attempt to rename it amounted to an insult to Mahatma Gandhi and the rural workforce.

“MGNREGA is not just a government programme, it is a right earned after years of struggle. The Centre is trying to dilute it by changing its name and starving it of funds,” Shivakumar said, drawing another round of “DK DK” chants from party workers. He also accused the Union government of delaying wage payments and reducing work allocation under the scheme, adversely affecting millions of rural families.

The protest was attended by Karnataka Congress in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, cabinet ministers, MLAs and senior party leaders, who criticised the Centre’s policies as anti-poor and anti-worker. They warned that the Congress would intensify its agitation across the state and the country if the Union government failed to reverse its decision.

A brief moment of tension unfolded on the stage when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah arrived to address the gathering. As supporters raised loud “DK DK” slogans on seeing Shivakumar alongside the Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah gestured for silence and asked party workers to sit down. The incident, captured on video, has since gone viral on social media, sparking political debate.

Despite the momentary disruption, the protest continued peacefully, with Congress leaders reiterating their commitment to protecting MGNREGA. Police stopped the march towards Raj Bhavan as a precautionary measure, while leaders maintained that the struggle would go on until the Centre restored the scheme’s original name.