Hundreds of activists from farmer and labour unions staged a major demonstration in Belagavi on Monday, vehemently opposing the recently passed Vikasit Bharat-G Ram G Bill-2025. The protest saw a strong coalition of the Bharatiya Krishik Samaj (BKS), Raitha Sangha, Mazdoor Nav Nirman Sangha Ukkad, and several progressive organisations.
Rally from Sahitya Bhavan to DC Office
The protesters organised a rally that marched from Sahitya Bhavan directly to the office of the District Commissioner. Throughout the march, participants raised loud slogans condemning the central government. They accused the administration of pursuing policies that are fundamentally anti-poor, anti-farmer, and anti-labour. To formalise their dissent, the group submitted a memorandum addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, which was handed over to the DC for forwarding.
Core Objections to the VB-G-Ram-G Bill
At the heart of the protest is the proposed replacement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the new Bill. Protesters argued that the central government is defending a legislation that introduces capped funding, seasonal pauses, and tech-driven monitoring, while promising higher work guarantees. They labelled this move as an attempt to complicate and weaken what they called a "silent dream project of rural India."
A major point of contention is the proposed 60:40 fund-sharing model between the central and state governments for the scheme's grants. The activists claim this shift in financial responsibility, along with the other changes, will effectively strip away the interests and safety nets of farmers, agricultural workers, and poor families across the country.
A Pattern of Anti-People Policies?
Speakers at the protest contextualised their opposition within a broader pattern of government actions. They listed demonetisation, the now-repealed Agriculture Acts, and the privatisation of APMCs as previous examples of an anti-people administration. They further cited the privatisation of electricity and amendments to labour laws as continuing this trend. The new Bill, they asserted, is the latest step in this direction, directly threatening job security for millions.
The collective demand from the gathering was clear and unequivocal: the immediate and complete withdrawal of the VB-G-Ram-G Bill-2025. The protest saw the presence of prominent leaders including BKS state president Siddagouda Modagi, Kavita Jarkiholi, Sanjeev Dongaravagi, environmentalist Shivaji Kaganekar, Shankar Akanavar, Basappa Angadi, Laxman Durgi, Goudappa Nandi, and Geeta.
