Jalandhar, July 17, 2026: Former Punjab Education and Sports Minister and sitting Congress MLA from Jalandhar Cantt, Pargat Singh, has sharply criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for prioritising “small inaugurations” over addressing pressing national and state-level concerns during his visits.
In a tweet posted on Thursday, Singh urged the Prime Minister to use such occasions to tackle policies affecting ordinary citizens, particularly in Punjab, where farmers and workers are actively protesting central government decisions.
“Rather than treating every small inauguration like a major achievement, Prime Minister @narendramodi should use such visits to address the policies that directly affect the nation and its states, and answer the concerns of ordinary citizens,” Singh wrote.
He specifically called on the Centre to clarify its position on the proposed India-US Trade Deal and the future of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme, which has been a flashpoint in recent months. These are the issues on which the people of Punjab expect answers — not ceremonial speeches,” the Padma Shri and Arjuna awardee added.
Background on Protests and Policy Shifts. Farmers’ groups, including the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), have held widespread protests across Punjab against the proposed India-US trade agreement, fearing it would flood Indian markets with heavily subsidised US agricultural products. Small and marginal farmers, who form the backbone of Punjab’s agrarian economy, worry about loss of livelihoods, increased debt, and inability to compete.
Simultaneously, concerns over rural employment have intensified following the Centre’s introduction of the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) or VB-G RAM G scheme, which replaces MGNREGA with 125 days of guaranteed work but has drawn criticism for shifting financial burdens to states and diluting rights-based guarantees. Punjab’s AAP government, despite earlier opposing the move in the Assembly, notified its implementation in late June 2026.
Who is Pargat Singh?A former captain of the Indian men’s hockey team and Olympian, Pargat Singh transitioned from sports and policing (he served as Superintendent of Police) to politics. He has represented Jalandhar Cantt since 2012 — first with the Shiromani Akali Dal and later with Congress since 2017. Known for his outspoken style, he has frequently raised issues concerning Punjab’s farmers, youth, and development.
This latest statement comes amid ongoing farmer unrest in the state and reflects Congress’s broader criticism of the Modi government’s policies on trade, agriculture, and rural employment. Punjab’s political landscape remains tense as parties position themselves ahead of future electoral battles. The tweet has sparked discussions on social media, with supporters echoing demands for substantive policy engagement over optics.
Referances :hindustantimes.com,tribuneindia.com,x.com,The Hindu, en.wikipedia.org