SHILLONG, JAN 21: Newly-appointed General Secretary of All India Mahila Congress, Lhingkim Haokip, has strongly criticized the Modi government for its “anti-women” policies, accusing it of weakening women’s economic independence despite claims of promoting women empowerment.
“Empowerment is not slogans like ‘Beti Bachao’. Empowerment means roti, rozgaar aur suraksha,” Haokip said, emphasizing that women’s empowerment cannot be reduced to rhetoric alone.
She highlighted that women are among the worst affected by inflation, shrinking welfare schemes, unemployment, and cuts in social security and livelihood support.
Haokip announced that the Mahila Congress will lead peaceful protests, awareness campaigns, and take women’s issues from villages to streets and Parliament.
On the subject of MGNREGA, she accused the Modi government of systematically weakening the scheme, which is a legal right to employment guaranteed by Parliament.
“MGNREGA is a right, not a favour. Weakening MGNREGA is a direct attack on women, workers, and the rural poor,” she asserted, noting that women constitute the majority of MGNREGA workers. For rural and tribal women, the scheme is vital for livelihood, nutrition security, and dignity.
The Mahila Congress will demand timely payment of wages, adequate budgetary allocation, and oppose any dilution of the Act.
Haokip also outlined the organisational direction of Mahila Congress in Meghalaya, aiming to rebuild it as a grassroots organisation focusing on tribal women, rural women, and first-time women voters.
“The Congress party believes in promoting local women leaders, not parachuting faces disconnected from grassroots realities,” she said, adding that the Mahila Congress will implement structured leadership training for women on constitutional rights, social justice, economic issues, and local governance.