BREAKING: Lok Sabha Adjourned Amid Chaos After VB–G RAM G Bill Clears House, Opposition Tears Copies
Winter Session, in New Delhi on Thursday. (ANI Photo/Rahul Singh via HT Media
The Lok Sabha was adjourned on a stormy note on Thursday after the lower house passed the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, popularly known as the VB–G RAM G Bill, amid unprecedented chaos and high political drama. The legislation, which seeks to replace the UPA-era Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), was cleared despite fierce opposition protests, slogan shouting, and the tearing of bill copies on the floor of the House.
The confrontation escalated to such an extent that proceedings had to be suspended, marking one of the most turbulent moments of the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.
What Happened in Lok Sabha: A Timeline of the Chaos
The VB–G RAM G Bill was taken up for discussion earlier in the day, with nearly eight hours of debate scheduled. As Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan rose to reply to the discussion, Opposition MPs stormed the well of the House, raising slogans against the proposed law and its renaming.
Eyewitnesses inside Parliament reported Opposition members tearing copies of the Bill, throwing them towards the Speaker’s chair, and waving papers in protest. Some MPs were seen standing on desks, while others continued chanting slogans, forcing repeated interruptions.
Amid the escalating ruckus, the Bill was passed by voice vote, after which the House was adjourned.
What Is the VB–G RAM G Bill?
The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill proposes:
- An employment guarantee of 125 days per year, up from 100 days under MGNREGA
- Increased allocation of over ₹1.51 lakh crore
- A renewed focus on rural infrastructure and livelihood creation
The government has positioned the Bill as a pro-poor reform aligned with the vision of a “Viksit Bharat”.
Opposition Protests Led by Sonia Gandhi, INDIA Bloc
Soon after the Bill’s passage, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, along with Mallikarjun Kharge, KC Venugopal, DMK MPs Kanimozhi Karunanidhi and TR Balu, and other INDIA bloc leaders staged a protest within the Parliament complex.
The Opposition alleged that the legislation was forcefully passed without proper consent, accusing the government of dismantling a welfare scheme that millions depend on.
Government Hits Back: ‘Disgraceful Behaviour’
Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, addressing a press conference later, strongly criticised the Opposition’s conduct.
He questioned whether Mahatma Gandhi would have approved of MPs tearing legislation and standing atop desks, calling the behaviour “disgraceful” and “against parliamentary decorum”.
Chouhan also dismissed claims over the renaming, asking,
“Ram G ke naam par itni chidh kyu hai? The name reflects employment and livelihood.”
BJP Calls Bill ‘Historic’, Opposition Calls It ‘Destructive’
BJP MP Sambit Patra termed the Bill historic and pro-poor, stating that rural infrastructure and wage employment would be strengthened.
He said the Opposition’s conduct would be remembered as a “dark chapter in India’s parliamentary history”, adding that even students in the visitors’ gallery were shocked by scenes of papers being torn and folded into paper planes.
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya accused the Opposition of doing a “great disservice to the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi” and abandoning all parliamentary norms.
Congress and Allies Raise Alarm
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the Bill would eventually finish off MGNREGA, alleging that the increase in workdays was deceptive.
She claimed the financial burden would be shifted to states, warning that many state governments lack the resources to sustain the scheme.
Echoing similar concerns, Karti Chidambaram called it a “dark day for democracy”, saying a programme that millions rely on for survival had been dismantled.
More Reactions from Parliament
Former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said Parliament debated the Bill for nearly 10 hours but the Congress chose disruption over discussion.
BJP MP Anurag Thakur defended the renaming, arguing that employment schemes have undergone multiple name changes over decades and questioned why objections were raised now when benefits were being expanded.
Actor-turned-MP Kangana Ranaut said the Bill reflected the arrival of “Ram Rajya”, while Gorakhpur MP Ravi Kishan hailed the move as beneficial for the poor.
On the other side, Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav accused the BJP of erasing Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy, while Congress MP Manish Tewari alleged the renaming was driven by polarisation politics.
Background: Welfare Bills and Parliamentary Disruptions
This is not the first time welfare legislation has triggered major disruptions in Parliament. Past debates on farm laws, labour codes, and citizenship legislation have also seen protests, walkouts, and adjournments.
However, observers note that the tearing of legislation inside the House marks an escalation rarely seen in recent years.
Why This Matters
The replacement of MGNREGA carries national significance, as the scheme impacts millions of rural households. Beyond policy details, the episode raises questions about:
- Parliamentary decorum
- The balance between welfare reform and political consensus
- The future of rural employment guarantees
The fallout is expected to dominate political discourse in the days ahead.
Conclusion
The passage of the VB–G RAM G Bill amid chaos has deepened political fault lines in Parliament. While the government sees it as a reform-driven step toward a developed India, the Opposition views it as an erosion of a cornerstone welfare programme. With emotions running high, the Winter Session is set for further confrontations.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
The scenes witnessed in the Lok Sabha underline a deeper crisis in parliamentary engagement. As welfare policies evolve, meaningful debate — not disruption — remains essential to democracy. The coming days will test whether dialogue can replace discord.