New Delhi: Four years after Rahul Gandhi began the Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari, the Congress on Monday described the march as a “decisive turning point” that gave new hope to Indian politics. The party said the yatra was not meant to lecture people but to listen to their worries, PTI reported.
Congress leaders marking the anniversary on X called the 4,080-km walk a major political and ideological challenge to what they described as the RSS/BJP’s “assault” on the Constitution. They said it also stood for unity against division and authoritarian rule.
‘Turning Point’ For The Country
Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said Monday is the fourth anniversary of the “truly historic” Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Gandhi. He began the “epic journey” after visiting the Vivekananda Memorial at Kanyakumari, along with about 120 other Bharat Yatris.
“This padyatra was a transformational event in contemporary Indian politics that started in Kanyakumari and covered 4080 km through 12 states and 2 UTs over a period of 145 days before culminating in a rousing rally in Srinagar,” Ramesh said on X.
He said millions of Indians supported the march because they are worried about rising economic inequality, social division and growing political authoritarianism.
The main aim of the yatra was to challenge the “systematic RSS/BJP assault” on the Constitution’s principles, provisions, practices and procedures, Ramesh said.
It was not to sermonise a Mann ki Baat but to listen to Janta ki Chinta, he said.
“Today we recall that decisive turning point that infused new hope, imparted new energy and inspired a new resolve,” Ramesh added.
Call To Fight Hate
Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal said the yatra sparked a “revolution” in society.
“I join millions of Indians in commemorating the 4th anniversary of the historic Bharat Jodo Yatra. What began at the intersection of the 3 great seas culminated with the coming together of crores of Indians,” he said on X.
“The eternal message of hope, compassion and togetherness – which is at India’s philosophical core – sparked a revolution in society, that hate must be defeated and India’s diverse communities must come together to save it,” Venugopal said.
He said the march, led by Gandhi, exposed the “Modi regime’s hoax and propaganda” and showed people that only one party is spreading the message of love, secularism, equality and Constitutional values across India.
“That it is clear that there is only one leader who can bring people together in this fight against injustice and hate,” Venugopal said.
“Yes, the Bharat Jodo Yatra was a pivotal moment. But our mission is yet incomplete. Let’s take a moment today to reiterate our commitment to saving India from fascists and rebuilding it in the vision of the founders of our great republic,” he said.
“India is eagerly waiting for the moment when their dreams become reality and the numerous ills we face are addressed by a compassionate, ethical regime,” Venugopal said.
Who Joined The March
During the yatra, Gandhi held 12 public meetings, more than 100 street-corner meetings and 13 press conferences. He also had over 275 planned walking interactions and more than 100 sitting interactions.
The 4,000-plus km march saw people from many fields join in. Film and TV stars such as Kamal Haasan, Pooja Bhatt, Riya Sen, Swara Bhasker, Rashami Desai, Akanksha Puri and Amol Palekar walked parts of the yatra.
Writers and retired military chiefs, including former Army chief Gen (Retd) Deepak Kapoor and ex-Navy chief Admiral (Retd) L Ramdas, also took part. Former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan and ex-finance secretary Arvind Mayaram joined as well.
Opposition leaders like the National Conference’s Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti, Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Aaditya Thackeray, Priyanka Chaturvedi and Sanjay Raut, and NCP (SP)’s Supriya Sule walked with Gandhi at different stages.