Congress party workers in Mandya staged a vigorous demonstration on Tuesday, voicing strong opposition to the central government's proposed move to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The protestors gathered near the iconic Gandhi statue at the park in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office, holding portraits of the Father of the Nation and raising slogans against the BJP-led Union government.
Protest Against Erasing a Symbolic Legacy
Addressing the gathered crowd, senior Congress functionaries launched a sharp critique of the proposal to rebrand the scheme as the "G-RAM-G Act." They alleged that this was a deliberate and calculated attempt to erase Mahatma Gandhi's legacy from one of the country's most significant and far-reaching welfare programs. The leaders argued that any effort to dilute the identity of MGNREGA or remove the name and image of Mahatma Gandhi—a global icon of truth, non-violence, and social justice—was completely unacceptable to the party and the nation's ethos.
Allegations of Political Bias and a Call to Action
The protestors further contended that the renaming proposal exposed the Centre's inherent bias against the Congress party and its historic contributions to building modern India. They demanded that the Union government immediately withdraw the proposal and ensure that Mahatma Gandhi's name remains permanently attached to the employment guarantee scheme. Issuing a stern warning, the demonstrators declared that the Congress would be forced to launch intense, state-wide agitations if the decision is not rolled back promptly.
Key Leaders Join the Demonstration
The protest saw the participation of prominent local Congress leaders, including District Congress working president MS Chidambar and Muda chairman BP Prakash. Their presence underscored the party's organizational resolve against the central government's move. The event in Mandya is likely a precursor to broader political mobilizations on the issue, setting the stage for a potential confrontation between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress over the symbolic ownership of flagship welfare schemes.
