In a significant political and symbolic move, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced the renaming of the state's flagship employment guarantee programme. The scheme, previously known as 'Karmashree', will now bear the name of Mahatma Gandhi.
A Direct Response to National Politics
Banerjee made the announcement during a public event on December 18, 2025, expressing strong disapproval of what she perceives as the systematic removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name from national welfare initiatives. The Chief Minister stated she felt "ashamed" that the legacy of the Father of the Nation was being sidelined at the central level.
She positioned the state government's action as a corrective measure, asserting that West Bengal would uphold national values if the Centre failed to do so. This renaming is seen as a direct political counter-narrative, emphasising the state's allegiance to Gandhi's ideals of inclusivity and social justice.
Details of the Renamed Scheme
The employment guarantee scheme is a critical social safety net in the state. It provides 75 to 100 days of work to beneficiaries, aiming to secure livelihoods and reduce poverty. By attaching Gandhi's name to it, the state government seeks to reinforce the scheme's connection to principles of dignity of labour and empowerment of the marginalised.
While taking a clear swipe at the central government's policies, Banerjee elaborated on her vision of an inclusive India. She did not limit her invocation to Gandhi alone.
Invoking a Pantheon of National Icons
To broaden her message of unity and constitutional values, the Chief Minister referenced several other towering figures of India's freedom struggle and nation-building. Her speech prominently included:
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
- Rabindranath Tagore
- B.R. Ambedkar
- Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
By invoking this diverse group of leaders, Banerjee reiterated her administration's stated commitment to unity, dignity, and social justice. This move is interpreted as an effort to position the state government as the true guardian of a pluralistic and composite Indian identity.
Implications and Political Messaging
The renaming of the 'Karmashree' scheme is more than an administrative update. It is a potent piece of political symbolism aimed at distinguishing the state's governance philosophy from that of the central government. The announcement reinforces Banerjee's long-standing political narrative of defending Bengal's and India's secular and inclusive ethos against perceived majoritarian shifts.
The event underscores the continuing political tensions between the Trinamool Congress-led state government and the BJP-led central government, with historical figures and their legacies becoming a central battleground. The guarantee of employment remains the scheme's core function, but its new name directly links this welfare effort to a specific ideological interpretation of India's foundational values.
