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Opposition Fury in Parliament: Sonia Gandhi Joins March Against MGNREGA Renaming

Opposition leaders staged a spirited protest inside the Parliament complex over the government's move to rename MGNREGA. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge led the march, which was notably joined by former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. They argued that removing Mahatma Gandhi's name strips the scheme of its moral foundation and attacks a fundamental right to work. Kharge has promised to take this protest from Parliament to the streets across the entire country.

Key Points: Sonia Gandhi, Kharge Lead Opposition Protest Against MGNREGA Renaming

  • Congress president Kharge led a march from Gandhi Statue to Makar Dwar in Parliament complex
  • Protesters carried placards with Gandhi's photo, chanting against the perceived insult
  • Leaders accused the government of erasing a UPA-era scheme that transformed rural lives
  • Kharge vowed nationwide protests against what he called the government's "dictatorial approach"
2 min read

Opposition protests in Parliament complex over renaming of MGNREGA, Sonia Gandhi joins march

Congress MPs and Opposition leaders, joined by Sonia Gandhi, protest the renaming of MGNREGA to VB-G RAM G, calling it an affront to Mahatma Gandhi and an attack on the right to work.

"This is not about changing names. This is about snatching the right to work, particularly for those belonging to weak, marginalized communities. – Mallikarjun Kharge"

New Delhi, Dec 18

Amid the marathon debate in the Parliament over renaming of MGNREGA to VB-G RAM G, Congress MPs and several Opposition leaders held a demonstration outside the complex on Thursday, to register their protest over Centre’s “dictatorial approach” in repealing a law, that has been instrumental in transforming crores of lives in vast rural swathes of India.

Congress MPs led by party president Mallikarjun Kharge held a march from the Gandhi Statue to Makar Dwar inside the Parliament premises, to protest renaming of the UPA-era scheme. Sonia Gandhi also joined the march, demanding a rollback of the new legislation that seeks to replace MGNREGA.

The Opposition lawmakers carried posters and placards, with photos of Mahatma Gandhi inscribed on them and raised slogans -- "Mahatma Gandhi ka apman nahin sahenge, nahin sahenge" (won't tolerate insult to Mahatma Gandhi).

They said that this was not just an affront to the Father of the Nation by the Modi government, but also a brazen attempt to snatch the Right to Work, which brought socio-economic changes in lakhs of villages across the country.

Congress president vowed to launch a pan-India protest, from the Parliament to the streets, against the “tyranny of the ruling dictatorial government” and claimed that the Centre was not just erasing the gamechanger scheme but also crushing the poor’s right to work under MGNREGA, a guaranteed 100-day employment, given to peasants and landless labourers, during the UPA dispensation.

Kharge, speaking to scribes, said, “This is not about changing names. This is about snatching the right to work, particularly for those belonging to weak, marginalized communities and of Dalit classes.

“Our party will hold demonstrations and protest marches across the country against this autocratic government. Our workers will resist any attempt to deprive the poor people of their right to work, and it will take place in all districts and states,” he further stated.

Notably, the renaming of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to VB G RAM G has kicked off a major controversy, with many Opposition MPs taking exception to the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name, stating that it will strip the scheme of its moral compass and also the government’s commitment to serve the poor and downtrodden classes.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
While I understand the sentiment about Mahatma Gandhi's name, the protest seems misdirected. The core guarantee of 100 days of work must be protected at all costs. That is what transforms lives, not the acronym. Let's not lose sight of the real objective.
A
Aman W
Totally with the opposition on this one. Renaming a scheme that carries Bapu's name is disrespectful to his legacy of serving the poor. MGNREGA is known by that name across India. Changing it to some confusing acronym is just confusing for the common villager. 👎
S
Sarah B
As an observer, the political theater is intense. But beyond the slogans, is the scheme actually being weakened? That's the critical question. The debate should be on the legislation's fine print, not just the nameplate.
K
Karthik V
This is pure politics. The UPA named it after Gandhi, now the NDA wants to change it. The cycle continues. Meanwhile, the labourer waiting for work doesn't care about VB-G RAM G or MGNREGA. He cares about timely wages and work. Can we please focus on that?
M
Meera T
Removing Gandhi's name strips the scheme of its moral weight. It was a reminder that this work is about serving the last person in the queue. The new name sounds like a tech product, not a lifeline for crores. The protest is justified.

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