Congress Leaders Protest Against Changes to MGNREGA, Vow Nationwide Movement

The leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accused the central government on Thursday of undermining the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) by making alterations that weaken the right to work. He stated that the party will take to the streets across the nation to protest against these changes. The senior Congress leader emphasized that this issue goes beyond mere name changes and that a movement will be initiated against it.

While addressing journalists, Kharge clarified that the matter is not just about renaming MGNREGA; it concerns the fundamental right to work. He expressed that the government is stripping citizens of their rights, which poses significant challenges for the impoverished. The Congress President announced that the party would launch a nationwide movement to defend the rights of the poor, asserting, 'We will fight until the end. We will take to the streets, and protests will occur in every state and district.' Congress leader Digvijaya Singh remarked that this decision stems from a sense of inferiority and is an insult to Mahatma Gandhi.

On Thursday, Congress leaders and several opposition MPs demonstrated from the Gandhi statue to the Makar Dwar in the Parliament complex, protesting the renaming of MGNREGA to VB G Ramji. The MPs carried posters proclaiming, 'We will not tolerate the insult to Mahatma Gandhi.' They also raised concerns regarding atrocities against minorities during the protest. A debate lasting nearly 14 hours took place in the Lok Sabha on the Developed India-Village Employment and Livelihood Mission Amendment Bill. The opposition demanded that the proposed bill be sent to the standing committee, while the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended the bill vigorously, describing it as a decisive step towards achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047.

Numerous Congress MPs voiced strong objections to the renaming of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and changes to the funding arrangements. Congress MP K. Suresh urged the house to refer the bill to the standing committee, emphasizing its 'significance' and the need for thorough examination. He noted that the duration and intensity of the debate highlight the bill's importance, stating, 'This is a crucial bill, which is why it was discussed for such an extended period in the house.' Over 98 members from both sides participated in this debate. The opposition parties are firmly opposing this bill, and the India Block has demanded that it be sent to the standing committee.' He also mentioned that the house would discuss air pollution today.