Gandhiji made ‘Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram’ the national anthem, Kangana’s statement an arena of politics, Congress taunted

New Delhi: A new debate has erupted in the country’s politics after the Modi government changed the name of Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to ‘Developed India-Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (VB-G RAM G)’. Many opposition parties including Congress have termed this decision as an insult to the name and ideology of Mahatma Gandhi. At the same time, BJP is presenting this change as an expansion of the scope and objective of the scheme.

Why controversy arose over name change?

MNREGA is considered the backbone of rural employment and its name is directly linked to Mahatma Gandhi. The opposition alleges that the government has deliberately tried to weaken his legacy by removing the name ‘Gandhi’. Congress leaders say that this is not just a matter of changing the name, but an ideological agenda, under which Gandhi is gradually being removed from public policy and discussion.

Kangana Ranaut’s statement became the center of discussion

BJP MP and actress Kangana Ranaut, reacting to the opposition’s allegations, gave a statement outside the Parliament complex, which has now gone viral on social media. Kangana said that how was Gandhiji insulted by changing the name of MNREGA to ‘Ji Ram Ji’? Mahatma Gandhi had made a national anthem about ‘Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram’. With this he united the entire country.

Kangana also said that the government is taking forward Gandhi’s dreams and adding the name of ‘Ram’ is not against his ideas. However, his statement regarding ‘Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram’ as the national anthem created a new controversy.

Congress’s counterattack

Congress leader Supriya Shrinet took a sharp jibe while sharing Kangana’s video on social media. He wrote, “Come on brother, today the new national anthem is also known! BJP is filled with more than one leader.” Apart from this, many social media users also took sarcasm. One user wrote, “Kangana ji forgot to tell that this national anthem was made in 2014.” At the same time, someone said that “such people are brought after searching who consider WhatsApp Forward as history.”

Strong opposition from Congress leaders

Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot also strongly criticized this name change. He called it a conspiracy to marginalize Gandhi. Gehlot wrote on social media that Mahatma Gandhi was a lifelong devotee of Lord Shri Ram and his last words were also “Hey Ram”, but removing Gandhi from the name of the scheme under the guise of the same name ‘Ram’ is condemnable.

politics vs policy

The government says that the basic spirit of the scheme has not changed by changing the name, but an attempt has been made to link employment and livelihood with the goal of developed India. The opposition is calling it symbolic politics and an attempt to rewrite history.