BJP Trying to Erase Piece of India’s Moral History: TMC on Centre’s Move to Rename MGNREGA

Pradip Chatterjee, MP, 13 Dec 2025,  Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Friday criticised the Centre’s decision to rename the MNREGA scheme, calling the move symbolic and a diversion from the issue of substantial funds owed to Bengal. The ruling party in Bengal also alleged that by attempting to remove “Mahatma,” a title “popularised” by Kaviguru Rabindranath Tagore, the BJP had “tampered” with his legacy.

The Union Cabinet is likely to approve renaming the national employment scheme from MGNREGA to Pujya Bapu Gramin Rojgar Yojna. It was stated that the Centre will introduce the Pujya Bapu Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Bill for MGNREGA, which will guarantee 125 days of work to the rural poor in a year, with the government allocating Rs 1.51 lakh crore.

Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said that the Centre owes Bengal around Rs 2 lakh crore, including MGNREGA and Awas dues. “They have denied the state’s dues. But now, they are changing the name to obliterate the Bengal connection. Why is the name being changed, and why is the word ‘Mahatma’ being removed? Rabindranath Tagore showed his respect for Gandhi ji by using the word ‘Mahatma’. There has been an attempt to erase Bengal’s contribution and legacy.”

“We strongly condemn the move. It is completely unwarranted. The word ‘Mahatma’ has historical significance. The project will be renamed after Gandhi’s name; only the word ‘Mahatma’ will be removed from the name of the scheme. The BJP is trying to erase history,” Ghosh added.

Trinamool Congress, in a post on X, said: “@BJP4India’s hatred for Bengal is a full-blown obsession. A compulsive disorder, a hostility so deep that even cruelty has stopped satisfying them. They began by imposing a ₹52,000-crore MGNREGA blockade, the largest act of economic vengeance ever inflicted on a single Indian state, stealing wages from the poorest, punishing families for daring to vote against them.”

“By attempting to remove ‘Mahatma’ from MGNREGA, they intend to erase a piece of India’s moral history. A title popularised by Kobiguru Rabindranath Tagore, Nobel Laureate, philosopher, and conscience-keeper. And that is precisely why it unsettles them. This regime has an allergy to everything Bengal stands for: our culture, which they cannot comprehend; our thinkers, whom they cannot match; our dignity, which they cannot tolerate; our political courage, which they cannot control. They believe withholding funds will force Bengal to kneel,” Trinamool further wrote.