Jaipur, December 15 (NationPress) Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed strong disapproval on Monday regarding the NDA government's alleged plan to alter the name of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). He described this move as indicative of a small-minded attitude and a significant insult to Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation.

Gehlot remarked that the NDA government had initially proposed the removal of the name of the “Revered Bapu” from the employment guarantee scheme. After facing significant backlash, they are now attempting to present a new name—‘Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission’, abbreviated as ‘VB G RAM G’. He stated that this persistent desire to change the name merely reveals the guilt, insecurity, and narrow-mindedness of the BJP-led NDA government.

The former Chief Minister accused the initiative to change MNREGA's identity of being more than just an administrative decision; it represents a calculated attempt to erase Mahatma Gandhi's legacy from a crucial welfare program that has ensured livelihood security for millions of rural households nationwide.

Gehlot emphasized Mahatma Gandhi's global prominence, recalling that during the recent G-20 Summit, leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin paid their respects to Gandhiji at Rajghat. He noted that since India's independence, visiting heads of state have traditionally honored Gandhiji at Rajghat, reinforcing his unmatched respect and moral authority globally.

“While the world pays homage to Bapu, there seems to be a conspiracy to erase his legacy in his homeland,” Gehlot expressed, labeling the situation as deeply troubling.

He argued that the suggested renaming is not only emotionally and morally incorrect but also undermines the values Mahatma Gandhi stood for. Gehlot highlighted that Gandhi was a lifelong devotee of Lord Rama, with “Hey Ram” being his last words.

“The current government's deplorable effort to minimize Gandhiji’s importance under the guise of including ‘Ram’ in the scheme's title is utterly condemnable,” he asserted, adding that using Lord Rama’s name to justify the removal of Gandhi's name distorts both spiritual and moral principles.

Gehlot urged the central government to promptly rethink and retract this move, cautioning that such actions could send a detrimental message to the international community regarding India's commitment to Gandhian principles.

He also highlighted that October 2, Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, is recognized by the United Nations as the International Day of Non-Violence, showcasing the global respect and relevance of Gandhiji's philosophy today.

“Such actions clearly reveal that the BJP does not genuinely uphold the principles of non-violence, truth, and inclusivity that Mahatma Gandhi embodied,” Gehlot concluded.