Pune: Congress Holds Protest in Pune Against Centre Over Proposed MGNREGA Name Change
Pune, 19th December 2025: Hundreds of Congress workers gathered outside the Pune Collectorate today in a spirited demonstration against the central government’s reported plan to remove Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and amend its provisions.
The protest, organized by the Pune City Congress Committee, saw participants raising slogans denouncing the BJP-led administration, calling the proposed changes an affront to Gandhi’s enduring legacy.
Addressing the crowd, Pune City Congress President Arvind Shinde remarked, “The Modi government’s attempt to rename MGNREGA amounts to erasing Mahatma Gandhi’s memory from a programme that carries his name. Just as Gandhi was assassinated in 1948, there appears to be a symbolic attempt to ‘kill’ his legacy. But his ideology, his principles, are immortal. Prime Minister Modi seems apprehensive of Gandhi’s enduring influence, and we are here to stand against this attempt.”
Former Minister Ramesh Bagwe added, “Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals are eternal. Any effort to undermine them will fail. His name and philosophy will continue to inspire generations as long as the sun and moon exist.”
The protest also underscored broader concerns about protecting the integrity of social welfare schemes designed to support rural communities, emphasizing that these initiatives should continue to reflect Gandhi’s vision of social justice and empowerment.
