“They Are Snatching Away The Right That Was Given By Us”: Mallikarjun Kharge On MGNREGA Changes, Vows Nationwide Fight

Delhi: Congress leader and Rajya Sabha Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge has raised a strong objection to the proposed changes in India’s rural employment framework, asserting that the government’s move threatens the legal right to work. Speaking to reporters, Kharge highlighted that the issue goes far beyond a simple renaming of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

“This is not about renaming MGNREGA, this is about right to work. They are snatching away the right that was given by us…They are snatching away the rights of people. This is a big issue, and it is very difficult for the poor,” Kharge said.

The Congress chief warned that the party will take the fight beyond Parliament. “We will fight for this till the end. We will fight on the streets and in every district of every state there will be a movement,” he added, signalling a nationwide campaign to oppose the government’s proposed Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill.

The proposed Bill seeks to replace MGNREGA, a 20-year-old employment guarantee programme that has provided livelihood support to millions of rural households since 2005. While the government claims that the reform will modernise, streamline, and make rural employment schemes more accountable, opposition leaders have expressed concern that it may dilute statutory entitlements and limit workdays and wage guarantees.