The Congress on Monday marked the fourth anniversary of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, describing the nationwide padyatra led by Rahul Gandhi as a historic political journey aimed at confronting economic inequality, social polarisation, and growing political authoritarianism.
NEW DELHI — The Congress on Monday marked the fourth anniversary of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, describing the nationwide padyatra led by Rahul Gandhi as a historic political journey aimed at confronting economic inequality, social polarisation, and growing political authoritarianism.
Taking to X, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh recalled the launch of the yatra and said it marked an important moment in the party's political campaign.
"Today is the fourth anniversary of the launch of the truly historic Bharat Jodo Yatra under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi who visited the Vivekananda Memorial at Kanyakumari before embarking on the epic journey with around 120 other Bharat Yatris," he said.
The Bharat Jodo Yatra was launched on September 7, 2022, from Kanyakumari and went on to cover roughly 4,080 km over a period of 145 days.
The padyatra passed through 12 states and two Union Territories before concluding in Srinagar, bringing Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, more than 200 dedicated 'Bharat Yatris', thousands of citizens, and regional leaders together during the journey.
According to the Congress, the yatra was undertaken against the backdrop of what it described as deepening social polarisation and communal discord, while also seeking to draw attention to widening wealth disparities, inflation and unemployment affecting people across the country.
"It drew support and sustenance from millions of Indians concerned with sharpening economic inequalities, increasing social polarisation and growing political authoritarianism," Ramesh said, highlighting the concerns that, according to the party, had brought people together during the long padyatra.
Ramesh further said that the central purpose of the yatra extended beyond a conventional political campaign and represented an ideological challenge to what the Congress described as an assault on constitutional values by the RSS and BJP.
"The padyatra's basic thrust was an ideological challenge to the systematic RSS/BJP assault on Constitutional principles, provisions, practices and procedures. It was not to sermonise a Mann ki Baat but 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," the Congress Rajya Sabha member added.