Bharat Jodo Yatra went from south to north but had countrywide effect, gave alternative vision to country: Rahul

Restoration of statehood, democratic process important first steps

30/01/2023

SRINAGAR, Jan 29: The Bharat Jodo Yatra went from south to north but it has had a countrywide effect, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Sunday, asserting the march have an alternative vision to the country.
Speaking at a press conference after the march ended with the hoisting of the tricolour at the Lal Chowk here, Gandhi said he got to learn and understand a lot during the over 4,000-km journey.
The Bharat Jodo Yatra has been the most beautiful and profound experience of my life, Gandhi said, adding he would think about whether a west to east yatra can be undertaken in the future.
"I met lakhs of people, talked to them. I do not have words to make you understand. The aim of the yatra was to unite India, it was against the hate and violence being spread across the country. We have had a tremendous response. In fact, no one expected to get such a love-filled response," Gandhi said.
"We got to see the resilience of the people of India, their strength, directly," he asserted.
The yatra, that traversed through 12 states and two Union territories, would officially conclude on Monday with a function at the state Congress headquarters here followed by a rally at the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium.
Asked whether he would undertake a west to east yatra in future, Gandhi said, "It has just ended. So, this question is premature. Yatris have walked thousands of kilometres, let us see what happens. Yatra went from south to north but its effect was on the entire country."
"It is a vision, a way of life for the country. This has had an effect in the entire country. Congress workers have also undertaken yatras in several states, so it has had a national effect. We will think about it (undertaking a west to east yatra), I have two-three ideas," he said.
This is not the end but the beginning and a "first step", Gandhi said of the yatra.
The former Congress chief said it did not just remain a Congress party yatra, as more than partymen and women, common people participated in this march.
"The Bharat Jodo Yatra has given an alternative vision. One vision is of the BJP-RSS that is filled with hate and arrogance. Our vision is about brotherhood, about opening shops of love in the market of hate, giving respect to each other," he said,.
Gandhi said there are clearly two paths before the country and they are two ways of life.
"One is a vision to suppress people and the other is to unite the people. There will be a tremendous effect of this in politics. What exact effect it would have, I can't say," he said.
He said a certain gap had come between the political class, including parties such as the Congress and the BJP, and the people.
:The whole communication is through the media, interviews, and press conferences. My thinking was that this gap should be reduced. This is not just the physical gap, so one way is to walk on the road, meet them, hug them, there are other gaps as well. Earlier, there was an unbiased communication be it interviews or press conference now a bias has come," he alleged.
The media does not focus on Opposition as much as it should, he lamented.
"What we say is twisted by them (media). So I thought a new kind of political vision is needed. This is the first step and frankly a small one. In my mind there are deeper steps that can be taken which I am mulling. Let's see about east-west," he said.
Gandhi added the Congress yatris are keen on doing another yatra.
The yatra covered 4,080 km through 12 states and two Union territories. Rahul Gandhi addressed 12 public meetings, over 100 corner meetings, 13 press conferences. He had over 275 planned walking interactions and more than 100 sitting interactions.
Gandhi on Sunday unfurled the national flag at the historic clock tower of Lal Chowk in the heart of Srinagar as part of the yatra and said a "promise" made to India has been fulfilled.
Gandhi, along with his sister and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, party leaders and workers, completed the final lap of the yatra earlier this morning.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said the restoration of statehood and democratic process is a very important step in Jammu and Kashmir as he avoided a question on whether his party would be part of an Opposition alliance in the union territory.
Gandhi said he has come to Jammu and Kashmir with an open heart and open arms to help people in whatever way he can.
"Love, affection and listening, I believe, are powerful forces. I don't want to comment on the historical aspect of it, I want to look forward and I (have) come here with an open heart ... and open arms to help in whatever way I can," Gandhi told reporters here at the end of the 4,000-km Bharat Jodo Yatra.
The former Congress president was asked about the promises made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir by the country's first prime minister Jawahar Lal Nehru when he unfurled the national flag at Lal Chowk in 1948.
Earlier in the day, Gandhi hoisted the national flag at the city's iconic Lal Chowk after concluding his foot march.
Responding to several questions about the restoration of statehood, the Congress leader said it should be the first step taken in Jammu and Kashmir.
"Statehood and restoration of democratic process is a fundamental and very important first step. The other steps will come later and I do not necessarily have to comment on it here," he said, referring to a question about holding talks with Pakistan.
"All states have an assembly. Democratic process is the right of the people and it should be restored in Jammu and Kashmir. A solution should be found for the people of Ladakh as well," he added.
In response to a question about the revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution in 2019, Gandhi said the Congress Working Committee has already made its stand clear on the issue.
Article 370 granted special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. It was revoked by the Centre on August 5, 2019.
The Congress leader sidestepped a question if his party will be part of the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), an amalgam of regional parties and the CPI(M), striving for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's special status.
Gandhi said he was not happy with what he saw in Jammu and Kashmir.
"When I entered Jammu and Kashmir, I met people from Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir areas of the region. No one that I met -- and I met farmers, students, youth, businessmen -- seemed to be happy or excited about what is happening here," he added.
The Lok Sabha member from Wayanad in Kerala said he experienced a "powerful" feeling of homecoming during his journey through Jammu and Kashmir.
"A strange idea came to my mind... my family came from Jammu and Kashmir and moved to Allahabad and now I was doing a reverse journey. It was a powerful feeling of homecoming," he said.
Gandhi said he was humbled by the love and affection he received in Jammu and Kashmir.
Asked about the BJP's claims about the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Gandhi said bomb blasts and targeted killings are still taking place in the union territory.
"If it (security) had improved, then the security people would not have had the conversations that they had with me.
"If what they claim is the case, then why doesn't the BJP hold a rally from Jammu to Lal Chowk? If the situation is so good, then why doesn't Amit Shah walk from Jammu to Kashmir? I don't think that argument holds," he added.
Asked about the issues raised by people during the Jammu and Kashmir leg of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Gandhi said most of the issues were similar to the rest of the country like inflation and unemployment.
"Statehood, representation and voice of people was another set of issues that came up here," he said.

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