The Indian political landscape is witnessing a heated debate over the proposed renaming of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The controversy has ignited a clash between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress party, spearheaded by Rahul Gandhi.
MGNREGA, a flagship rural employment scheme guaranteeing up to 100 days of wage work to rural households, has been a cornerstone of Indian social welfare programs since its enactment in 2005. Mahatma Gandhi's name was added to the scheme in 2009, further associating it with the ideals of rural empowerment and self-sufficiency.
The BJP government's proposal to rename MGNREGA as the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar & Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB–G RAM G) has triggered strong opposition. Critics argue that the move is an attempt to erase Mahatma Gandhi's legacy from a program deeply connected to his vision of "Gram Swaraj" (village self-rule).
Rahul Gandhi has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of harboring a "deep dislike" for Mahatma Gandhi's ideas and the rights of the poor. Gandhi argues that MGNREGA embodies Gandhi's vision and has served as a lifeline for millions of rural Indians, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. He alleges that the BJP-led government has systematically weakened the scheme over the past decade and is now determined to eliminate it altogether.
Gandhi contends that the proposed changes will transform MGNREGA into a tool of centralized control, with the central government dictating budgets, schemes, and rules. He claims that states will be forced to bear a significant portion of the costs, leading to workers being denied employment when funds run out. Gandhi asserts that the renaming and proposed changes are a "direct insult to the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi" and a target on the secure livelihood of poor rural families.
The Congress party has warned of confrontation in Parliament if the renaming is pushed through. Other opposition leaders have echoed these sentiments, with some calling the move an "insult to the Mahatma" and questioning the government's motives. They argue that the renaming is a distraction from the scheme's real problems and an unnecessary expenditure.
However, Shashi Tharoor, a senior Congress leader, offered a nuanced perspective, describing the controversy as "unfortunate". While clarifying that he objects to removing Mahatma Gandhi's name, Tharoor argued that the ideas being invoked by the government are not necessarily antithetical to Gandhi's philosophy. He suggested that "Gram Swaraj" and the ideal of "Ram Rajya" were "twin pillars of Gandhiji's consciousness" and cautioned against creating a division where none existed.
The BJP has strongly defended the proposed changes, with some leaders accusing Rahul Gandhi of spreading misconceptions and distorting facts. They argue that the government is implementing the ideas of Gandhi and others, and that the renaming aligns with the vision of a "Viksit Bharat" (developed India) by 2047. Some BJP members have also pointed out that the Congress party itself did not initially include Mahatma Gandhi's name when the scheme was first introduced.
The government maintains that the new legislation provides a revised framework aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Under the proposed changes, the center-state fund-sharing ratio would be 60:40 for most states and Union territories, while northeastern and Himalayan states would have a 90:10 ratio. The draft bill also aims to provide a statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment per financial year. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also criticized the move, stating that it involves unnecessary expenditure and risks diluting the legal rights guaranteed to rural workers. She raised concerns over the central government's increased control over decision-making, potentially undermining the autonomy of gram panchayats.
As the debate intensifies, the future of MGNREGA and its connection to Mahatma Gandhi's legacy remain uncertain. The controversy highlights the ideological fault lines in Indian politics and the ongoing struggle to define the nation's identity and priorities.
