The opposition, led by G. Ram, staged a sit-in protest against the bill at midnight, setting up camp outside the Parliament building

The political confrontation in Parliament over the G-RAM Bill 2025, related to rural employment, reached its peak. After the bill was passed by both houses of Parliament, opposition parties began a sit-in protest outside the Parliament building at midnight. The opposition termed it anti-poor, anti-farmer, and anti-labor, calling it an attack on democracy. Slogans and protests continued throughout the night in the Parliament complex.

The Developed India Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural), or VB-G RAM Bill, was passed by the Rajya Sabha by voice vote after midnight. The Lok Sabha had already approved the bill. This bill will replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). The new law provides for 125 days of wage employment annually to rural families.

Opposition’s Midnight Protest
As soon as the bill was passed, MPs from several opposition parties, including the Congress, Trinamool Congress, and DMK, staged a sit-in protest in the Parliament complex. Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha Deputy Leader Sagarika Ghose alleged that the Modi government had forcibly passed the bill. She said that this law is against the poor, farmers, and rural India. The opposition warned that they would take to the streets across the country to protest.

Accusation of Murder of Democracy
Sagarika Ghose said that such a major bill was introduced with only five hours’ notice to the opposition, and proper debate was not allowed. She demanded that the bill should have been sent to a select committee so that the opinions of all parties could be considered. She called it the murder of democracy. Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala termed it the saddest day for the country’s laborers.

Kharge and Congress’s Sharp Attack
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a sharp attack on the government, saying that the scheme on which the livelihoods of 120 million people depended was being abolished. He said that just as the three farm laws were withdrawn, this law would also have to be withdrawn. Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said that both Gandhi’s name and MNREGA would be restored when they return to power. Government’s Stance and Key Features of the Bill
Speaking on behalf of the government, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that this bill is for the welfare of the poor and will increase employment opportunities. According to the bill, adult members of rural families will get 125 days of employment for unskilled labor. The fund-sharing ratio between the central and state governments will be 60:40. For the northeastern and hilly states, it will be 90:10.

Uproar Inside and Outside Parliament
There was a huge uproar in the Lok Sabha during the discussion of the bill. Opposition MPs raised slogans accusing the government of removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name and staged a walkout from the House. After the bill is passed by both houses of Parliament, it will be sent to the President for assent. The opposition has made it clear that they will continue this fight outside Parliament as well.