New Delhi, December 18, 2025 - Opposition parties in India staged an overnight protest in the Parliament complex on Thursday, December 18, 2025, against the passage of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill. The bill, which seeks to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), has sparked fierce debate and accusations of undermining rural livelihoods.
The VB-G RAM G Bill was passed by Parliament amid the opposition's protests, with the Rajya Sabha giving its approval post-midnight. Opposition leaders have voiced strong concerns over the bill's implications, alleging that it is "anti-poor, anti-people, anti-farmer, [and] anti-rural poor". Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha deputy leader Sagarika Ghose accused the Union government of bulldozing the bill through Parliament.
The opposition's primary grievance lies in the perceived dismantling of the MGNREGA, a rural employment program guaranteeing 100 days of wage employment. They argue that the VB-G RAM G Bill weakens the legal guarantee of employment, potentially placing a heavier financial burden on states. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra claimed the bill would give the Centre the power to pre-determine fund allocation, effectively ending the demand-driven nature of the scheme. DMK leader Tiruchi Siva criticized the shifting of Mahatma Gandhi and Ambedkar's statues to the back side of Parliament.
During the parliamentary proceedings, opposition members demanded that the bill be sent to a parliamentary panel for further scrutiny. They also tore pages of the bill, prompting warnings from Chairman C P Radhakrishnan. The opposition has accused the government of rushing the bill's passage, alleging insufficient debate and a lack of consultation with stakeholders. According to Ms. Ghose, the opposition was given only five hours' notice before the bill was presented.
In response, Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan defended the bill, asserting that it was necessary to address shortcomings in the MGNREGA. He accused the Congress of "killing" Mahatma Gandhi's ideals and using his name for political gains. Chouhan stated that the VB-G RAM G Bill increases the guaranteed employment period to 125 days and allocates adequate funds to support the extension. He also emphasized the bill's focus on using technology to prevent corruption and ensure efficient implementation.
The overnight "dharna" or protest, outside the Samvidhan Sadan in the Parliament complex, was a symbolic act of defiance against what the opposition views as an attack on the rights of the poor and marginalized. Opposition leaders have vowed to take their protests to the streets across the country, mobilizing public support against the VB-G RAM G Bill. The debate surrounding the bill highlights the deep political divisions concerning rural development policies and the role of the government in ensuring social welfare.
