The Opposition members exited the Lower House following a contentious debate regarding the introduction of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, which is intended to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2025.
They demonstrated by holding photographs of Mahatma Gandhi outside the Makar Dwar and near his statue within the Parliament grounds.
#WATCH | Opposition MPs protested outside Makar Dwar in Parliament regarding the MGNREGA renaming issue pic.twitter.com/rVw8xQrvv9
— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2025
Govt introduces G RAM G Bill in Lok Sabha
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan presented the G RAM G Bill in Parliament, asserting that the government respects Mahatma Gandhi and adheres to his principles.
“Mahatma Gandhi ji resides in our hearts. Both Gandhi ji and Pandit Deendayal emphasized that prioritizing the welfare of the marginalized should be paramount. We are committed to their ideals and are implementing numerous poverty alleviation initiatives based on these principles,” he stated.
#WATCH | Delhi | Opposition MPs holding photos of Mahatma Gandhi protest outside Makar Dwar in Parliament against the MGNREGA renaming issue pic.twitter.com/eDtQXApXxV
— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2025
Chouhan further remarked, “Previously, the Congress party altered the name of the Jawahar Rozgar Yojana; did that signify a lack of respect for Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru?”
Opposition protests the Bill
Opposition members demanded that the VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025, be referred to the Parliament Standing Committee for thorough examination and protested the exclusion of Mahatma Gandhi’s name.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi emphasized that the proposed G RAM G Bill 2025 should be withdrawn and reviewed by the Standing Committee as it threatens to undermine the existing MGNREGA framework for rural employment.
#WATCH | Delhi | Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra states, “The truth is that under the guise of changing the scheme’s name, they (Central govt) aim to eliminate it. Why do they want to change this scheme’s name? Mahatma Gandhi is the father of the nation…” pic.twitter.com/eh2KFgEAsu
— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2025
“The bill should not be swiftly passed without consulting the House and engaging in discussion. It should be retracted, and a new bill should be submitted,” she urged.
“Mahatma Gandhi was not of my lineage, yet he felt like a family member to me. This sentiment resonates across the nation. The bill needs further consideration by the Standing Committee. No legislation should be rushed through driven by personal biases,” she added.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor argued that changing the name is not merely a “routine administrative adjustment,” but rather an “assault on the spirit and foundational philosophy” of the rural employment initiative.
“The original Act, named in his honor, acknowledged this vital connection—true employment security and uplift must originate from the grassroots, echoing Gandhi’s principle of prioritizing the disadvantaged. Removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name strips the bill of its moral foundation and historical validity,” Tharoor asserted.
#WATCH | Delhi | Opposition MPs holding photos of Mahatma Gandhi protest against the MGNREGA renaming issue, at the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament premises pic.twitter.com/UTNvUnOnOK
— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2025
“Additionally, employing two languages in the title merely to create the acronym G RAM G is not just a breach of Article 348, as noted in prior discussions, but also reminds me of a childhood tune—’Dekho o deewano (tum) ye kaam na karo, Ram ka naam badnaam na karo’,” he continued.
NCP MP Supriya Sule also advocated for the Bill to be sent to the Standing Committee.
Bill will be passed despite protest, says Rijiju
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that the government intends to proceed with passing significant bills despite opposition outcry within Parliament. “We have business to conduct,” Rijiju remarked.
#WATCH | Delhi | On ‘The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): VB – G RAM G bill to rename MGNREGA, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra states,” The father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi should not be disrespected…It seems that only the name is being altered,… pic.twitter.com/cDV54HcAHs
— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2025
Amid disruptions, Rijiju remarked that while the opposition might walk out, the government has an agenda to fulfill for the nation’s benefit. He advised that objections should only be raised if there are concerns related to the legislative authority of the House, according to News18.
Read more: MGNREGA vs VB-G RAM G Bill 2025: What are the key differences in India’s new rural employment law
