VB-G RAM G: The Samyukta Kisan Morcha will take to the streets against the law; a resistance day has been announced for January 16.

The conflict between the central government and farmer organizations over laws related to rural employment and farmers' interests has intensified again. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has announced that it will observe an 'All India Resistance Day' across the country on January 16 against the new rural employment law. Farmer organizations allege that this law, which replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), infringes upon the rights of the poor.

In a press conference held in New Delhi on Monday, SKM leaders demanded the immediate repeal of the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural), or VB G Ram Ji Act. The farmers said that this law was passed in Parliament amidst opposition protests and is replacing MNREGA, which will jeopardize the livelihoods of the rural poor.

Allegations against the Government

The SKM alleged that the BJP-led NDA government passed this law in an authoritarian and anti-people manner. Farmer leaders said that this step was taken forcibly in Parliament and is aimed at weakening the rights of workers and farmers. They said it is a conspiracy to dismantle social security laws like MNREGA.

Protest against other laws as well

Farmer organizations demanded the withdrawal not only of the VB G Ram Ji Act but also of the Labour Codes, the Seeds Bill 2025, and the Electricity Bill 2025. The SKM alleged that the Insurance Bill 2025 allows 100 percent FDI in the insurance sector, and the SHANTI Bill 2025 promotes private and foreign companies in the nuclear energy sector, favoring domestic corporate interests.

Emphasis on farmer-worker unity

The SKM said that all these steps are part of a series of free trade agreements and anti-people policies implemented under pressure from the US, which are alienating the working class from the government. The organization emphasized farmer-worker unity and appealed for holding village-level assemblies (Mahapanchayats) and resolving to continue the struggle in the new year. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) reiterated its demands for a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) based on the Swaminathan Commission formula and a law for waiving farmers' debts.

The SKM's national coordination committee has decided to observe January 16, 2026, as 'All India Resistance Day'. The organization's national council will meet in Delhi on January 11 to decide on the future course of action. It is noteworthy that the VB G Ram Ji law was passed by Parliament late at night and received presidential assent on Sunday. ​​Now, farmer organizations have intensified preparations for a nationwide movement against it.