BGVS was an active member of the nation-wide right to food and work campaigns from 2002. A major convention on it was hosted by MPBGVS in 2004 and our kalajatha team produced special programmes for the Rozkar Adhikar Yatra that travelled through the ten states in 2005 just before the parliament passed the employment guarantee act.

BGVS participated in the Rozgar Adhikar Yatra which started from 13^th May, 2005 and continued till 29^th June, 2005. Members of BGVS from different states travelled with it. BGVS was also key organiser in many states of eastern regions like Jharkhand, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.

Thousands of people moved forward and participated Rozgar Adhikar Yatra asserting their right to get work. BGVS was closely involved in the planning and mobilisation for the Yatra. During the Yatra, activists campaigned for right to work as they found that there was still lack of knowledge among the people about this. It was pointed out that the peoples’ right to employment guarantee is a legitimate and fundamental right. The Rozgar Adhikar Yatra enjoyed a warm reception everywhere during its course of journey. The Yatra was welcomed with garlands, songs, diyas, music and folk dances including a very special performance by renowned artists.  A three day national convention on employment guarantee and the right to work was held in Ranchi.

The Yatra triggered a wave of public support in different areas and the Yatra found it was hard to keep up with ever-increasing requests for new stopovers as it continued its journey. Public meetings, street demonstrations, cultural programmes, press conferences and other activities often started early in the morning and continued until late at night. The Yatra went through the districts covered by the National Food for Work Programme (NFFWP). Testimonies from NFFWP labourers heard at many public meetings and the Yatra also made occasional stopovers at NFFWP worksites. A team of researchers associated with the Yatra carried out a public verification and found evidences of blatant fraud. While the Rozgar Adhikar Yatra campaigned for the right to work as well as a strong law with adequate safeguards guaranteeing work to the rural poor, it was also coming across the gross injustice that prevails in many backward districts.

All states participated in the employment guarantee act with the banners having thousands of signatures on it was displayed in the front of parliament. Thousands of many other organisational participants participated in the Employment guarantee act with BGVS. Few months later after the Rozgar Adhikar Yatra, parliament passes the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA).