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Tamil Nadu Labour Union Slams MGNREGA Renaming as "Attack" on Gandhi's Legacy

A Tamil Nadu labour union is furious about the government's plan to rename MGNREGA. They see removing Gandhi's name as a direct insult to his legacy and the law's original purpose. The union leader accuses the ruling party of historically opposing Gandhi's ideals. They are demanding the decision be reversed and the scheme actually strengthened with more work days and higher pay.

Key Points: AITUC Tamil Nadu Body Opposes MGNREGA Renaming, Cites Gandhi Hatred

  • Tamil Nadu AITUC union calls renaming an expression of deep-seated hatred towards Mahatma Gandhi
  • Scheme guarantees 100 days of wage employment to rural households annually
  • Union alleges BJP government is systematically weakening MGNREGA's implementation
  • Demands increase to 200 days of work and a minimum wage of Rs 700 daily
3 min read

TN: AITUC-affiliated agricultural labourers' body opposes renaming of MGNREGA

AITUC-affiliated Tamil Nadu labour union condemns renaming MGNREGA, calling it an attempt to erase Mahatma Gandhi's legacy and weaken the rural jobs scheme.

"The decision to drop Mahatma Gandhi’s name... amounted to an attempt to undermine both the spirit of the legislation and the legacy of the Father of the Nation. - A. Bhaskar, Association General Secretary"

Chennai, Dec 13

The Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Labourers’ Association, affiliated to the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), has strongly opposed the Union government’s decision to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), describing the move as an expression of “deep-seated hatred” towards Mahatma Gandhi.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the association’s general secretary, A. Bhaskar, said the decision to drop Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the flagship rural employment scheme amounted to an attempt to undermine both the spirit of the legislation and the legacy of the Father of the Nation.

He recalled that the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act was enacted in 2005 by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government following sustained interventions by Left parties, to provide livelihood security to rural households.

The Act guarantees 100 days of wage employment every year to agricultural labourers and rural worker families who depend primarily on manual labour for survival.

Bhaskar said the scheme had earned global recognition as a pioneering welfare initiative and had, for nearly two decades, played a crucial role in ensuring employment for millions of rural workers across the country.

He strongly objected to the BJP-led Union government’s decision, taken on December 12, 2025, to rename the scheme as the “Poojya Babu Gramin Rozgar Yojana” by removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name. The association, he said, categorically rejected the move.

Mahatma Gandhi, Bhaskar noted, is revered worldwide as the Father of the Nation and remains a symbol of secularism, non-violence and social harmony.

He alleged that organisations such as the RSS and the Hindu Mahasabha had historically opposed Gandhi and refused to accept his ideals.

Recalling that Gandhi respected all religions equally and dedicated his life to national unity, Bhaskar said it was a tragic irony that he was assassinated by extremist forces.

He further accused the Sangh Parivar of glorifying figures such as V.D. Savarkar and Nathuram Godse over the past 11 years, while engaging in what he described as systematic distortion of history.

The decision to rename the rural employment law, he alleged, was part of a broader attempt to erase Gandhi’s legacy from public life.

The association also claimed that since assuming power, the BJP-led Union government had steadily weakened the implementation of MGNREGA and was now attempting to dilute its identity by changing its name.

Condemning what he termed a “venomous attack” on Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy, Bhaskar demanded that the Union government immediately withdraw the renaming decision.

He also urged the Centre and the Prime Minister to strengthen the scheme by increasing guaranteed employment to 200 days a year and fixing the minimum daily wage at Rs 700.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
As someone from a rural Tamil Nadu family, I can say MGNREGA has been a lifeline during drought seasons. The name carries the spirit of the scheme - Gandhiji's focus on rural empowerment. Removing his name feels disrespectful to the core idea. 😔
M
Michael C
While I understand the emotional attachment to Gandhi's name, isn't the substance of the policy more important than its title? If the scheme's benefits and funding remain intact, perhaps the debate should center on its effectiveness rather than symbolism.
A
Ananya R
The association's demand to increase guaranteed days to 200 and raise wages to ₹700 is the real issue we should be discussing! With rising costs, 100 days at current wages is insufficient for a family's survival. Focus on strengthening the scheme, not just renaming it.
S
Suresh O
This seems like another attempt to rewrite history. Gandhiji is the Father of the Nation, and his name on a scheme that empowers the rural poor is fitting. Renaming it feels like a political move rather than one for administrative efficiency. Jai Hind.
K
Kavya N
I respectfully disagree with the association's strong language. The government has the right to name schemes. What matters is whether "Poojya Babu Gramin Rozgar Yojana" continues to serve the same purpose effectively. Let's wait and see the results on the ground.

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