NREGA Sangharsh Morcha Cancels Protest Against New Employment Bill Amid Police Denial

The NREGA Sangharsh Morcha has canceled its planned protest against the Modi government's new employment bill after the Delhi Police denied permission. This decision has sparked significant concern among civil society regarding the implications for rural employment and workers' rights. Activists argue that the new bill undermines the framework established by the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. Despite police warnings, some members of the Morcha gathered to voice their dissent, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. The ongoing debate highlights the tension between government policies and the rights of citizens to protest and secure their livelihoods.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 19, 2025, 20:14 IST

Protest Called Off Due to Police Restrictions

On Friday, the NREGA Sangharsh Morcha, a coalition of labor unions from various regions, decided to cancel its planned march opposing the Modi administration's Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Bill after the Delhi Police refused to grant permission for the event.

The demonstration was set to take place at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest area in the capital. The call for the protest was made by the NREGA Sangharsh Morcha just a day prior.

However, the police issued a warning to the organizers on the same day, cautioning them that proceeding with the protest could result in legal repercussions.

A letter from Anand Kumar Mishra, an additional deputy commissioner of police in New Delhi, indicated that the organizers had not provided the required 10 days' notice for the protest.

Rajendran Narayanan, a social scientist and member of the NREGA Sangharsh Morcha, strongly criticized this justification.

“It takes just two days to repeal a law that has been in place for two decades, yet we citizens are expected to give 10 days' notice to voice our dissent,” he stated. “The right to work has been revoked, and now the right to protest is being suppressed.”

Narayanan's comments referred to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, which has been replaced by the VB-G RAM G Bill. Despite opposition from various quarters, this bill was passed in both houses of Parliament on Thursday, just before the Winter Session concluded.

The decision has raised alarms within India's civil society due to the significant implications for rural employment. Activists have condemned the bill for dismantling the rights-based framework that underpinned the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, originally introduced by the United Progressive Alliance government in 2005.

The MGNREGA guaranteed at least 100 days of work annually for every rural household, funded by the central government. Although the new VB-G RAM G bill claims to increase this guarantee to 125 days, experts express concerns regarding its underlying provisions.

This new legislation shifts some financial responsibilities to state governments while enhancing the central government's discretionary authority over its execution. Activists argue that this marks a significant shift from the demand-driven, decentralized approach of its predecessor.

“There are 26 crore registered workers under NREGA in the country,” Narayanan noted. “You are altering their futures in just three days. How can such a crucial decision be made so hastily?”

Despite the police's refusal to allow the protest, Narayanan and several other members of the NREGA Sangharsh Morcha gathered at Jantar Mantar, where they were joined by five opposition MPs. The police ultimately dispersed the group.

In a statement, the NREGA Sangharsh Morcha condemned the police's actions and reaffirmed its commitment to continue protesting against the repeal of MGNREGA whenever possible. They urged all concerned organizations and citizens to participate in nationwide protests against this infringement on the right to work and the right to protest.

Attempts to reach the deputy commissioner and additional deputy commissioner of police in New Delhi for comments went unanswered. Updates will be provided if they respond.

The refusal to permit the protest occurred just five weeks after the Delhi Police allegedly pressured organizers of a protest against severe air pollution levels in the city to cancel their event. Reports indicated that police officials had threatened to file first information reports against the organizers at that time.