Congress to Initiate Nationwide Protests Against New Employment Law

Nationwide Protests Planned by Congress

The Congress party is set to commence a countrywide protest starting on January 5, aimed at demanding the repeal of the 2025 Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act. This announcement was made by party leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday.

During a press conference following a Congress Working Committee meeting in New Delhi, Kharge emphasized the party's commitment to safeguarding the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) under all circumstances.

“MGNREGA is not merely a scheme; it is a constitutional right to work,” Kharge asserted. “We will unite to advocate for the dignity of rural workers, fair wages, timely payments, and the right to demand-based employment and gram sabha.”

He further stated that the party would actively oppose any attempts to erase Mahatma Gandhi's legacy from MGNREGA.

The 2025 Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Bill received presidential assent on December 21, shortly after being passed by Parliament amidst opposition protests. This new legislation is set to replace MGNREGA.

Initially introduced in 2005 by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance, MGNREGA aimed to enhance livelihood security for rural households by guaranteeing 100 days of unskilled work annually for those who sought it, covering all districts nationwide.

Under the new law, the guaranteed workdays will increase to 125, with states responsible for 40% of the costs. The central government will continue to cover the wage component, while states will handle material and administrative expenses.

This legislation has faced criticism from economists and labor rights advocates.

On the same day, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi remarked that MGNREGA is not just a work program but a globally recognized development framework.

“This has been dismantled by the Prime Minister [Narendra Modi] without consulting his Cabinet or thoroughly examining the implications,” Gandhi stated. “This represents an assault on the states of India, as it strips away funds and decision-making authority that rightfully belong to them.”

He expressed confidence that the entire opposition would unite against the Act's replacement.

Concerns Over Voter Deletions and Attacks on Churches

Kharge also raised concerns regarding the deletion of voters during the special intensive revision of electoral rolls conducted by the Election Commission, labeling it a “well-planned conspiracy” to undermine democratic rights.

He highlighted the serious nature of this issue, claiming that the collaboration between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Election Commission is widely recognized.

Kharge noted that Rahul Gandhi had previously provided evidence of “vote theft” occurring in the country.

Gandhi and the Congress have repeatedly accused the Election Commission of extensive vote rigging, particularly in the 2024 Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly elections, alleging large-scale manipulation involving national institutions. The Election Commission has denied these claims.

“We must ensure that our voters' names remain intact,” Kharge urged, instructing party members to protect the votes of marginalized communities from being removed or reassigned.

The Election Commission is currently revising voter rolls in 12 states and Union Territories, with booth-level officers distributing enumeration forms since November 4. Approximately 3.6 crore electors have been deleted from the rolls during this process.

The draft electoral roll for Uttar Pradesh is set to be published on December 31, with final rolls for all involved states and Union Territories expected by February 14.

In Bihar, where the revision was completed ahead of the Assembly elections in November, around 47 lakh voters were excluded from the final electoral roll published on September 30.

Concerns arose in Bihar regarding the potential removal of eligible voters, prompting several petitioners to approach the Supreme Court.

On Friday, Kharge condemned the attacks on the Christian community during Christmas celebrations, attributing these incidents to groups linked to the BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, which he claimed have disrupted communal harmony and tarnished India's global image.

Numerous incidents of violence against Christians or interruptions to Christmas festivities have been reported recently.

The Congress Working Committee meeting on Friday precedes upcoming Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry next year.