Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called upon citizens to join the nationwide Congress-led demonstration advocating for the repeal of the Viksit Bharat, Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act and the reinstatement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act of 2005 (MGNREGA).

He criticized the new Act for infringing on rural employment rights.

He announced the initiation of the “Save MGNREGA” campaign.

"During the winter session, the BJP-led Central government abolished MGNREGA and introduced the Vikasit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G) Act without justification. MGNREGA was established in 2005 under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi's leadership to secure job opportunities for laborers, Adivasis, small farmers, and women," he stated.

He further pointed out that along with MGNREGA, other beneficial laws like the Right to Education, Right to Food, and Right to Information were also enacted, but he accused the present government of undermining these important legislations.

He claimed that the new Act was debated in Parliament for merely eight hours before being enacted. Under MGNREGA, 12.16 crore individuals found employment, including around 53 percent women, 17 percent Scheduled Castes, and 11 percent Scheduled Tribes. He asserted that these groups have now lost their rights.

MGNREGA, named in honor of Mahatma Gandhi, was designed to enhance rural development and empower village governance. The scheme assured 100 days of guaranteed local employment, enabling Gram Panchayats and Gram Sabhas to make decisions.

CM Siddaramaiah noted that under the new legislation, decisions will be made by the Central government, and without its funding and approval, local bodies cannot initiate projects.

He stressed that the Congress party advocates for the preservation of MGNREGA, which guaranteed 100 days of work. According to the new Act, the Centre will provide 60 percent of the funding, while States will contribute 40 percent. He argued that this change jeopardizes State interests, leading to nationwide protests demanding the abolition of the VB-G RAM G Act and the restoration of MGNREGA.

He laid out several demands: the complete repeal of the VB-G RAM G scheme, the reinstatement of MGNREGA, the restoration of employment rights, the reinstatement of Panchayat self-governance, and a nationwide minimum wage of Rs 400 per day.

He declared that the protests will persist until these demands are fulfilled. Drawing a comparison with the successful repeal of anti-farmer laws after protests, he urged all segments of society to participate in the movement and support the reinstatement of MGNREGA for the benefit of rural communities.