The Lok Sabha witnessed high drama and sharp political confrontation on Tuesday as Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan introduced a new rural employment Bill that seeks to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The move triggered loud protests from opposition benches, turning the Winter Session into a battleground over legacy, livelihood and ideology.

Tabling the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, Chouhan said the proposed law aims to strengthen rural livelihoods and align employment schemes with the vision of a “developed India”. However, the omission of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the legislation immediately drew fierce resistance from opposition parties.

Responding to the uproar, the Union Minister defended the government’s position, stating that Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals cannot be confined to the name of a scheme. “Mahatma Gandhi lives in our hearts,” Chouhan told the House, asserting that the government remains committed to uplifting the poorest sections of society. He added that the philosophy of both Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya continues to guide the Centre’s welfare policies.

Hitting back at Congress criticism, Chouhan questioned whether renaming past programmes amounted to disrespect. He cited the renaming of the Jawahar Rozgar Yojana during earlier governments, asking why similar changes then were not seen as an insult to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

Outside Parliament, opposition leaders intensified their protest. Congress MPs, led by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, demonstrated near Makar Dwar, accusing the government of attempting to dismantle a landmark social security programme under the guise of reform. Priyanka Gandhi alleged that the name change was a cover to weaken rural employment guarantees, calling Mahatma Gandhi the soul of the scheme and the nation’s moral compass.

Inside the House, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor delivered a sharp critique of the Bill, describing it as an attack on the philosophical foundation of rural employment. He warned that replacing MGNREGA risks diluting a programme that has served as a safety net for millions of rural households during economic crises.