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Congress' 'Save MGNREGA' Protests Intensify Over VB-G RAM G as Varanasi Security Tightens

State pushback sets up a test of wills as Congress turns to mass mobilisation.

Overview

  • The VB-G RAM G Act, which replaces MGNREGA, is now law with a 125‑day work guarantee, a 60:40 Centre–state funding pattern, and scope for states to pre‑select 60 peak agricultural days.
  • Congress launched a 45‑day ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram’, staging fasts at Gandhi and Ambedkar statues, street plays, dharnas and outreach across states including Jharkhand, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
  • Security was tightened near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Varanasi office as Congress held a fast, and party leaders alleged police used force on NSUI marchers; the Uttar Pradesh government has not issued a formal response.
  • Karnataka’s government said it will not accept the new law, plans a special Assembly session to seek restoration of MGNREGA, and intends a legal challenge, while BJP and JD(S) welcomed an open debate.
  • BJP and allied leaders defended the law as expanding workdays and improving accountability and monitoring, and accused the opposition of spreading misinformation and politicising the renaming.