Let's not dishonour Mahatma Gandhi's legacy: Shashi Tharoor on renaming MGNREGA as row escalates

The Centre has proposed renaming MGNREGA as the Viksit Bharat Guarantee For Rozgar And Ajeevika Mission (Grameen), abbreviated as VB G RAM G, an acronym that includes the word “Ram”.

The proposed change has triggered sharp political reactions, with the Congress and Trinamool Congress accusing the government of deliberately erasing Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy.

In a post on X, Tharoor said the ideals of Gram Swaraj and Ram Rajya were never in conflict. “They were the twin pillars of Gandhiji’s consciousness,” he wrote. “Replacing the Mahatma’s name in a scheme for the rural poor ignores this profound symbiosis. His final breath was a testament to ‘Ram’; let us not dishonour his legacy by creating a division where none existed.”

After some followers expressed confusion over whether he was objecting to the controversy itself or the renaming, Tharoor clarified that his objection was specifically to the removal of Gandhi’s name.

“It’s pretty clear that I am objecting to replacing the Mahatma’s name. Read my tweet,” he said.

MGNREGA, launched by the UPA government, was initially expected to be renamed the Pujya Bapu Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, a proposal that did not attract significant opposition.

However, the introduction of the new Bill in Parliament under the VB G RAM G name has intensified political tensions.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge led the party’s attack, calling the move an attempt to erase Gandhi’s legacy.

“Erasing Gandhi’s name on the centenary of the Sangh shows how hollow and hypocritical those are who offer flowers to Bapu on foreign soil,” Kharge said, adding that the Congress would oppose the move “in Parliament and on the streets”.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned the rationale behind removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name, pointing out the financial burden of changing stationery and official documents.

“Parliament is not functioning and pressing issues are not being discussed. Public time and money are being wasted,” she said.

Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan accused the BJP of targeting national icons. “First Nehru, then Indira Gandhi, and now Bapu. Instead of changing names, the government should ensure timely MGNREGA payments, increase workdays and strengthen the scheme,” she said.

Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien also condemned the move, calling it an insult to Mahatma Gandhi and vowing to oppose it.

Under the proposed changes, the Centre will no longer bear the entire cost of unskilled labour wages.

The new Bill proposes a 60:40 cost-sharing ratio between the Centre and states, a 90:10 ratio for northeastern and Himalayan states, and full funding by the Centre for Union Territories.