Gautam Buddh Nagar, December 22, 2025:
The District Congress Committee of Gautam Buddh Nagar has announced a protest in response to the ruling BJP government’s plan to introduce legislation aimed at revoking the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) or altering its name and fundamental framework. The protest is scheduled to take place on Monday, December 22, 2025, at 12:30 PM at the district headquarters (Collectorate).
According to Congress district president Deepak Bhati Chotiwala, the BJP’s move is “an extremely concerning and deliberate step” that goes beyond a routine legislative process. He described the proposed bill as a politically calculated attempt to weaken a historic, rights-based law and diminish the association of Mahatma Gandhi’s name and values with one of India’s most recognised welfare initiatives.
Bhati Chotiwala emphasized that MNREGA has long served as a landmark social welfare law, providing guaranteed employment and economic security to millions of rural households across the country. He argued that any attempt to dilute its scope or alter its identity undermines the principles of inclusive development and threatens the livelihoods of rural communities who have relied on the act for decades.
The district Congress has called upon citizens, party workers, and the media to witness the protest and cover the event. The demonstration aims to publicly register opposition to the government’s move and highlight the potential implications for rural employment, social equity, and the preservation of Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy within India’s legal framework for social welfare.
The Congress leadership further stated that the protest is intended to send a strong message against any political attempt to modify or weaken landmark social laws. Party officials reiterated that MNREGA, in its original form, represents both a legal guarantee of employment rights and a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of empowering rural India through sustained economic participation.
The protest will include speeches by senior district leaders, mobilisation of local party workers, and participation from civil society members who have been advocating for rural development and social justice. The Congress district committee underscored the importance of peaceful demonstration while maintaining public order during the event.
Deepak Bhati Chotiwala called on all stakeholders, including media representatives, to engage with the protest to ensure wider public awareness of the issue. The Congress leadership affirmed that they will continue to actively oppose any legislative changes that compromise the integrity, objectives, or historical significance of MNREGA, reiterating their commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of India’s rural population.
This protest marks a significant mobilisation by the District Congress Committee in Gautam Buddh Nagar against what it perceives as an encroachment on one of India’s most celebrated social welfare laws and the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, highlighting the ongoing political debate around rural employment and social justice in the country.
