Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched a sharp attack on the Opposition on Thursday, accusing Congress and INDIA bloc parties of tearing parliamentary decorum to shreds and insulting Mahatma Gandhi through their conduct during the passage of a key rural development bill.
Opposition's Ruckus Draws Strong Condemnation
The controversy erupted in the Lok Sabha during deliberations on the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, commonly referred to as the VB-G RAM G Bill. While replying to the discussion on the proposed legislation, Chouhan witnessed Opposition MPs creating a din, tearing papers, and throwing them around the House.
Chouhan, addressing reporters at the BJP headquarters after the proceedings, did not mince words. "Parliamentary decorum has been torn to shreds. Democracy has been reduced to mob rule and thuggery," he stated. He accused the members of the Opposition, Congress, and the INDI Alliance of putting a blot on democracy through their actions.
An 'Insult to Bapu' and Democracy's Lifeblood
The Union Minister contrasted the Opposition's behavior with the lengthy discussion that preceded it. He noted that the debate on the bill began on Wednesday and continued past 1:30 am, during which the treasury benches listened to 98 Members of Parliament with seriousness.
"Discussion is the lifeblood of democracy…But the kind of indecent conduct displayed by the Opposition…is this not an insult to Bapu ji?…I strongly condemn it," Chouhan asserted, linking the protest directly to a disrespect for Mahatma Gandhi's legacy.
Despite the protests, the VB-G RAM G Bill was passed by a voice vote amid the chaos. This legislation seeks to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Defending the Bill and Highlighting Government's Plan
Chouhan defended the new bill, questioning why the Opposition was worried when similar schemes have existed since the 1960s. He underscored that the government has prepared a comprehensive plan for village development.
The Bill includes a complete blueprint for infrastructure, schools, health centres, water conservation, anganwadi buildings, livelihood works, and roads. Chouhan emphasized that the new scheme enhances the employment guarantee from 100 days to 125 days.
He presented a financial comparison, stating the scheme would involve a cost of over Rs 1.51 lakh crore, with the Centre bearing more than Rs 95,000 crore. In a political counter, he attacked the Congress-led UPA, claiming it spent a little over Rs 2.13 lakh crore on MGNREGA between 2006-07 and 2013-14, compared to over Rs 8.53 lakh crore spent under the NDA government.
"Garib kalyan (welfare of the poor) is the BJP’s resolve and under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, not one but numerous schemes are continuously operating to improve the lives of the poor," Chouhan said. He added that this resolve is why more than 25 crore people have risen above the poverty line and why the new scheme for employment and developed villages has been introduced.
