The Lok Sabha witnessed intense drama and chaotic scenes on December 18, 2025, as it passed the contentious Viksit Bharat G Ram G Bill. The proceedings were marred by loud protests from Opposition members, who entered the Well of the House and tore copies of the proposed legislation in a symbolic act of defiance.
Opposition Accuses Government of Erasing Gandhi's Legacy
The core of the Opposition's fury centered on the accusation that the government was attempting to erase the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. The protesting MPs claimed that the Bill, which relates to rural employment guarantees, effectively weakens the existing framework and places an unfair financial burden on state governments. Their central charge was that the legislation disrespects the ideals associated with the Father of the Nation.
Government's Counter: Politicization of NREGA
In a robust defense, the government countered the allegations. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan led the charge, stating that the name of Mahatma Gandhi was attached to the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) only in the run-up to elections, implying it was a political move. He insisted that the Modi government has genuinely honored Gandhian principles through its focus on concrete schemes related to housing, sanitation, and health for the poor.
Chouhan argued that the earlier scheme was politicized and misused for electoral gains, and the new Bill aims for a more efficient and targeted approach to rural development as part of the Viksit Bharat (Developed India) vision.
Speaker Condemns Disruptions in House
Amid the uproar, Speaker Om Birla strongly condemned the disruptive behavior of the protesting MPs. He asserted that Parliament is a forum for reasoned debate and discussion, not a place for theatrics or actions that undermine its dignity. His admonishment, however, did little to immediately calm the flaring tempers in the chamber.
With the Bill cleared by the Lok Sabha amidst the protests, its next destination is the Rajya Sabha, where the government may face another tough challenge given the likely continued resistance from the Opposition benches. The passage sets the stage for a significant political showdown in the Upper House.
