Congress announces a nationwide movement against MGNREGA changes, accusing the Centre of undermining rural employment, federalism, and Gandhian values. Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge warn of mass protests to defend workers’ rights.
The Indian National Congress on Saturday announced a nationwide movement to oppose what it described as “fundamental and ideological changes” to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), framing the issue as a battle over social justice, federalism, and the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi.
Addressing the media after a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government of systematically weakening one of India’s most important rights-based welfare programmes. The Congress leadership alleged that the changes undermine rural employment, hurt the poorest communities, and reflect an ideological tilt favouring the wealthy.
Setting the tone for the agitation, Kharge questioned the government’s priorities and accused it of abandoning the poor. “Why has the Central government destroyed a scheme like MGNREGA?” Kharge asked. “There is endless money for the rich, for those who loot banks through massive loans, but no courage to give even a fraction of that support to labourers. This clearly shows whose side they are on.”
Kharge alleged that the BJP’s approach to governance was driven by ideological bias rather than concern for social equity. “Those who stand with the rich will never support the poor. That is why we are fighting for the rights of the impoverished, and we will continue this fight across the country,” he said.
A key point of contention raised by the Congress was the reported removal or dilution of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the scheme’s identity. Kharge described this as a “profound insult” to the Father of the Nation and an attack on India’s moral and historical foundations.
“Sonia Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh transformed MGNREGA into a rights-based law that guaranteed dignity and employment,” Kharge said. “Now the government claims it is only changing the name, but this is not merely about nomenclature. They cannot tolerate Mahatma Gandhi’s name because it represents values they oppose. This is an attack on Gandhi himself and on the soul of India.”
Kharge announced that the Congress Working Committee had unanimously decided to launch a vigorous nationwide movement, involving protests, mass outreach, and coordination with like-minded political forces to resist the changes.
Rahul Gandhi, speaking alongside Kharge, described MGNREGA as far more than an employment scheme. He called it a “revolutionary development model” that combined economic security with democratic empowerment.
“MGNREGA is a globally admired, rights-based framework,” Gandhi said. “Kharge ji visited 16 countries, and everywhere leaders praised India for pioneering a development model that integrates employment with rights and dignity. This was a Congress legacy that transformed rural India.”
Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of dismantling this legacy without adequate consultation or deliberation. He compared the decision-making process to demonetisation, alleging that major changes were imposed unilaterally. “The Prime Minister has destroyed this system without consulting his cabinet or studying its consequences,” he said.
According to Gandhi, the changes represent a “multi-pronged assault” on India’s federal structure. He alleged that states are being deprived of funds and decision-making authority, rural infrastructure created through MGNREGA is being neglected, and the guaranteed wage floor for rural workers is being weakened.
“This is a devastating blow to India’s states and its poorest citizens,” Gandhi said. “Adivasis, Dalits, OBCs, minorities, and economically weaker families will suffer the most, while a select group of industrialists will benefit.”
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He further argued that MGNREGA played a crucial role in strengthening local democracy by directly channeling funds to panchayats. “This programme empowered the third tier of government and encouraged grassroots political participation. Weakening it is nothing less than an attack on India’s democratic structure,” he said.
Gandhi concluded by reaffirming the Congress party’s determination to resist the changes through mass mobilisation. “We will fight this on the streets and in Parliament. I am confident that the entire opposition will stand united against this assault on the poor and on India’s democratic foundations,” he said.
With the Congress signalling sustained nationwide protests, the future of MGNREGA is likely to become a central political issue in the coming months, especially in rural India where the scheme remains a critical lifeline for millions.
