Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi reignited the political debate over rural employment and welfare after strongly criticising the Modi government for pushing through the controversial Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) Bill, popularly referred to as the ‘G RAM G’ Bill. His remarks came amid intense protests inside and outside Parliament, with the opposition accusing the Centre of fundamentally altering the spirit of the landmark MGNREGA framework.
Positioning MGNREGA as a historic, rights-based safeguard for rural India, Gandhi alleged that the new legislation undermines decades of progress by centralising power and rationing employment guarantees. As the Bill cleared Parliament following a dramatic midnight vote, his sharp criticism highlighted broader concerns around federalism, social justice, and the future of rural livelihoods.
The Congress leader’s intervention has placed the spotlight firmly on how policy changes could reshape the lives of millions who depend on state-backed employment for survival, dignity, and economic stability.
Rahul Gandhi’s Strong Objection to the ‘G RAM G’ Bill
Rahul Gandhi described the parliamentary clearance of the ‘G RAM G’ Bill as a troubling moment for Indian democracy, arguing that such a transformative law should not have been passed without detailed scrutiny. According to him, the opposition’s repeated demands to send the Bill to a Standing Committee were dismissed, raising questions about transparency and legislative diligence.
He asserted that any law impacting crores of rural workers must involve expert consultations, public hearings, and detailed parliamentary review. By bypassing these steps, Gandhi alleged that the government weakened democratic norms and ignored the voices of states and rural institutions that would bear the brunt of the changes.
The Congress MP maintained that the manner in which the Bill was passed was as concerning as its content, warning that rushed legislation often produces long-term social and economic consequences.
From Rights-Based Guarantee to Centrally Controlled Scheme
At the heart of Gandhi’s criticism was his claim that the ‘G RAM G’ Bill dismantles the core principles of MGNREGA. He argued that the original programme was designed as a demand-driven, rights-based guarantee, empowering rural households to seek employment as a matter of entitlement.
In contrast, the proposed framework, he said, replaces this empowerment with a rationed system controlled from Delhi. By introducing pre-approved plans as the primary route for employment generation, Gandhi alleged that the Bill limits flexibility and undermines local decision-making.
He labelled the proposed changes as “anti-state” and “anti-village,” contending that centralisation erodes the federal structure and weakens the role of panchayats in shaping rural development.
Why MGNREGA Mattered to Rural India
Rahul Gandhi praised MGNREGA as one of the most impactful social welfare initiatives in India’s history, highlighting its role in improving wages, reducing distress migration, and strengthening rural infrastructure. He argued that the programme gave workers bargaining power by ensuring real employment options close to home.
According to him, this leverage reduced exploitation, improved working conditions, and allowed rural families to plan their lives with greater economic certainty. Gandhi stressed that these outcomes were not accidental but stemmed directly from the rights-based design of the scheme.
He warned that diluting these features could reverse years of progress, leaving rural workers vulnerable to uncertainty and coercion.
Impact on Marginalised Communities
The Congress leader placed particular emphasis on the implications for Dalits, OBCs, Adivasis, women, and landless labourers. He argued that any move to cap or ration employment opportunities disproportionately affects those already on the margins of the economy.
Recalling the Covid-19 pandemic, Gandhi said MGNREGA acted as a critical safety net that prevented millions from slipping into hunger, debt, and extreme distress. He claimed that rationing job guarantees would first and foremost hurt those with the least access to alternative livelihoods.
By weakening this safety net, Gandhi alleged, the government risks deepening inequality and undermining social cohesion in rural India.
The Political Row Over Renaming MGNREGA
Beyond structural changes, the renaming of MGNREGA to ‘G RAM G’ emerged as a flashpoint in the political confrontation. Congress leaders accused the government of attempting to erase the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi by removing his name from one of the country’s most significant welfare laws.
Rahul Gandhi argued that the name symbolised the values of dignity, non-exploitation, and grassroots empowerment. Altering it, he claimed, reflected a deeper ideological shift rather than a mere administrative update.
The controversy intensified protests, with opposition MPs staging dharnas within the Parliament complex and alleging that the “soul and spirit” of the original programme had been compromised.
Parliamentary Protests and Midnight Voting
The passage of the Bill was marked by dramatic scenes in both Houses of Parliament. While it cleared the Lok Sabha amid walkouts and vocal protests, the Rajya Sabha debate stretched past midnight, culminating in a voice vote around 12.15 am.
Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders criticised the timing and method of the vote, suggesting that such crucial legislation deserved a more measured and inclusive process.
The episode underscored the deep political divisions over welfare policy, governance style, and the balance of power between the Centre and the states.
What the ‘G RAM G’ Bill Proposes
Supporters of the Bill point out that it raises the guaranteed days of work from 100 to 125, retaining provisions related to unemployment allowance. However, critics argue that the shift towards pre-approved employment plans fundamentally alters how guarantees are accessed.
Rahul Gandhi maintained that increasing the number of days means little if access to work is restricted through administrative controls. He claimed that such mechanisms could be used to deny employment rather than expand it.
This structural shift, he argued, weakens the very instrument that empowered rural households under MGNREGA.
Congress’ Pledge to Oppose the Law
Vowing sustained resistance, Rahul Gandhi declared that the Congress would not allow the rural poor’s “last line of defence” to be dismantled. He promised to stand with workers, panchayats, and state governments to challenge the law.
According to him, MGNREGA is globally recognised as a successful model of poverty alleviation and empowerment, and any attempt to dilute it must be resisted through democratic means.
As the Bill now awaits presidential assent, the political battle over rural employment guarantees appears far from over, setting the stage for continued protests and nationwide mobilisation.
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About the Author:
Harshit Raj
