Congress hails Bharat Jodo Yatra as turning point, says it listened to people's concerns
Congress leaders commemorated the fourth anniversary of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, calling it a historic, transformative march that listened to public concerns.
The Congress party on Monday marked the fourth anniversary of the launch of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, with senior leaders describing the 145-day march as a decisive moment in contemporary Indian politics.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the padyatra, which began at the Vivekananda Memorial in Kanyakumari, was not intended to deliver a monologue but to hear the anxieties of the people. He described the journey as a transformational event that covered 4,080 km across 12 states and two Union Territories before concluding with a rally in Srinagar.
Ramesh said the march drew support from citizens concerned about economic disparity, social division, and political centralisation. He framed the yatra as an ideological challenge to what he termed an assault on constitutional values.
Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal also paid tribute to the march, saying it sparked a societal movement against hatred and in favour of unity. He asserted that the yatra exposed what he called the government's propaganda and demonstrated the party's commitment to carrying messages of love, secularism, and equality across the country.
Venugopal acknowledged that while the yatra was a pivotal moment, the party's mission remains unfinished. He called for a renewed commitment to addressing the nation's challenges through a compassionate and ethical approach.
During the march, Rahul Gandhi addressed 12 public meetings, over 100 street-corner gatherings, and 13 press conferences. He also took part in more than 275 planned walking interactions and over 100 sitting interactions.
The yatra saw participation from a wide cross-section of society, including film personalities, writers, and military veterans. Former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan and former finance secretary Arvind Mayaram also joined the march. Several opposition leaders, including Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, and leaders from the Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP), walked alongside Gandhi at various points.