In a heated confrontation over the central government's decision to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Karnataka Congress leaders have accused the BJP of undermining both history and democracy.

At the heart of the controversy, they say, lies a longstanding ideological opposition: the RSS and BJP have historically harbored resentment towards Mahatma Gandhi, and this latest move is a continuation of that pattern.

Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy did not mince words. "They can introduce another scheme, which we will welcome, but why change this name? Who killed Mahatma Gandhi? Since the beginning, the BJP, RSS, and VHP have been misleading people," he said, linking the renaming to a larger narrative of historical revisionism.

Former MLA Madhu Bangarappa, speaking at a protest in Bengaluru, framed the decision as an attack on India's freedom struggle itself. "Today we are protesting against the central government's decision to replace Mahatma Gandhi's name in NREGA. This is not just a bad decision—it is undemocratic. Those who fought for our freedom sacrificed everything. It is our right to restore the original name," he said, adding that the protest is being conducted under the leadership of senior Congress leaders, including DK Shivkumar.

Former union Minister KH Muniyappa contextualised the move within the BJP's political calculations. "They are misusing their last opportunity in power," he said. "Those who gave their lives for freedom now see their names being erased. The Congress-led alliance, under Rahul Gandhi's leadership, will correct these mistakes when it forms the next government."

MB Patil elaborated on the practical and historical implications of the renaming. He noted that the Mahatma Gandhi Rojgar Yojana, initiated under the UPA government by Dr Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi, has been one of India's most successful poverty alleviation and employment programs.

"Villagers benefited through local employment, roads, schools, and infrastructure development. This program is globally recognised and BJP could not tolerate its success," he said, describing the renaming as a "desperate act" born out of political spite.

Patil further emphasised the ideological undercurrents behind the decision. "RSS and BJP have historically disliked Mahatma Gandhi. They pay him lip service publicly because of his reputation, but deep down, his principles and legacy are at odds with their philosophy. By changing the name of a landmark legislation that lifted millions out of poverty, they reveal their pettiness and their disregard for democratic values," he said.

The leaders also raised concerns over financial restructuring, which has shifted a larger share of the scheme's cost onto the states under a revised 60:40 central-state funding ratio. "The scheme is being made almost redundant. States are already financially stretched, and this move ensures the program cannot be implemented effectively. This is a clear indication of how authoritarian control is replacing democracy," Patil added.

The Bengaluru protest is part of a larger nationwide campaign, as Congress and allied parties mobilize against what they call a symbolic and substantive attack on Mahatma Gandhi's legacy. According to the leaders, the renaming is not just about a program—it is a reflection of the BJP-RSS ideological stance and their continuing discomfort with Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence, equality, and empowerment of the common people.