Harish Rawat said – People of BJP, tomorrow you will remove the names of Laxman and Hanuman from Ram.

The Modi government at the Center has created a political storm in the entire country by deciding to change the name of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme i.e. MNREGA. This scheme will now be called ‘Developed India-Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural)’, the short name of which will be – ‘VB-Ji Ram Ji’. The government is talking about linking it with the vision of developed India, but the opposition is calling it a direct insult to Mahatma Gandhi.

Background and importance of the scheme

MNREGA was started by Congress’s UPA government in 2005. Its objective was to provide at least 100 days of guaranteed employment every year to the rural poor. In the last 20 years, this scheme has saved the lives of crores of families. According to government data, more than 3 billion person-days of employment could be generated in 2023-24. Works like roads, ponds, afforestation in villages not only provided wages but also led to development of the area. This scheme becomes the lifeline of the villagers in case of drought.

Why was there an uproar over name change?

As soon as the bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha, the opposition started creating ruckus. All the opposition parties including Congress allege that the Modi government wants to erase the name of Gandhiji. He says that Gandhiji is being removed on the pretext of changing the branding of the scheme. Some experts believe that changing the name may be a part of branding, but it is also sending a political message.

sharp attack from the opposition

Congress called it a betrayal of Gandhiji. Former Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat taunted on social media – “The hatred of Congress has now reached Gandhiji. Gandhiji was a great devotee of Ramji, yet you are removing the devotee’s name by adding ‘Ji Ramji’ in front of his name?” Rawat quipped that tomorrow BJP will remove the names of Lakshman and Hanuman along with Ram ji. This statement is becoming increasingly viral in states like Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Bihar because MNREGA is the life of villagers there.

Hey, now the hatred towards Congress has progressed and has even reached Mahatma Gandhiji.
You changed the name of Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Scheme. Raghu’s husband Raghav, the proponent of Raja Ram, Mahatma Gandhi ji was a great devotee of Lord Shri Ramchandra. You have used the name of God to remove the name of the devotee… pic.twitter.com/kKPNeDwh5j

— Harish Rawat (@harishrawatcmuk) December 16, 2025

Uproar and political conflict in Parliament

The opposition created noise as soon as the bill came in the Lok Sabha. Congress called it an insult to Gandhiji and raised slogans in the House. BJP says that the new name will connect the scheme with modern India and its impact will increase. But the opposition is calling it an ideological fight. It is clear that MNREGA is not just an employment scheme but has also become a political weapon. In the coming days, this issue is going to resonate a lot in election rallies, especially to woo village voters.

What will be the future of the scheme?

Changing the name will not bring any major change in the rules and regulations of the scheme, but the question is whether it will really benefit the poor more or just score political points? During Corona, when lakhs of laborers returned from cities to villages, MNREGA provided them support. The government is saying that it will further strengthen the scheme under Developed India and will increase the budget. But the opposition is calling it just a game in name. Overall, this controversy shows how deep roots old names and schemes have in Indian politics.