On February 2, more than 10,000 rural workers gathered at Freedom Park, Bengaluru, to protest against proposed changes to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). They oppose the new Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) or VB-G-RAM G framework. MGNREGA guarantees rural households work on demand and legal compensation if work is delayed. Now, with the new law, work will be given only if a project is approved and funded. If funds run out or no project exists, there will be no work. Mahantappa K., a seasonal worker from Ananthapur, Belagavi said, "Now they are saying work will be given only if a requirement is identified, approved and funded. If there is no approved project or the budget is exhausted, there is no work. That means it is no longer a guarantee." This uncertainty could push many to migrate from villages. The protest marked MGNREGA’s 20th anniversary. Workers said the changes weaken rights secured over two decades, especially for women and Dalit communities. Dalit worker Vinayak P. of Bagalkot recalled the past, saying, "Dalit families were forced to accept whatever work and wages were offered, often under degrading conditions," which MGNREGA helped change by enabling fair wages and dignity. Women workers highlighted how MGNREGA boosted their confidence and village participation. Gayathri Anjappa from Hubballi noted that those who begged previously are now respected through panchayat work. Workers also criticized the new law for banning jobs during two peak agricultural months and misleading claims of 125 days of work per year. Farmer Shantappa Kumar from Chitradurga added that under MGNREGA, households get only about 45 days on average due to funding issues. Rajendran Narayanan of MGNREGA Sangharsh Morcha warned that the new framework centralizes control with the government and funds states based on fixed criteria, changing the act from demand-driven to command-driven. He also warned that shifting the funding ratio to 60:40 between Centre and States would hurt poorer regions most.