NEW DELHI: Congress Saturday celebrated the second anniversary of Bharat Jodo Yatra by showcasing its twin planks of secularism and democracy, which are viewed widely as the game changer in the difficult 2024 parliamentary contest.
Enthused by what it views as the change in political atmosphere since, the party presented the yatra as a continuing mission by moving from its slogan of ‘Bharat Jodo’ to ‘Bharat judne tak (Till India unites)’.The rank and file led by top leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal and Gaurav Gogoi posted messages on social media with the hashtag of the new slogan.
The 4,000 km padyatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir started on Sept 7, 2022, which then led to East to West Yatra in 2024 ahead of the elections. Rahul said, “When I started this journey, I said love will conquer hate and hope will defeat fear, today our mission remains the same.” Kharge on X said, “On the occasion… I only appeal to the countrymen to continue the struggle to preserve the Constitution and democracy.”
Down and out since 2014 in the face of a polarisation-powered BJP, the yatra is widely viewed in Congress and outside as having given a new paradigm for the opposition to take on the ruling party. The boldness to confront BJP on the issue of polarisation and “threat to Constitution”, shedding widespread in-house concerns of a backlash, emerged from the yatra, which then became unexpected weapons in denting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2024.
The praise for BJY on its anniversary was lavish. While Congress general secretary KC Venugopal called it the “single most impactful political phenomenon of the last decade”, party spokesperson Jairam Ramesh said, “It heralded a change in the politics of our country.” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “BJY is a mission of Rahul Gandhi to unite the country – which is continuing even today.”
According to Ramesh, the yatra resulted in the “emergence of real Rahul Gandhi”, even as it “mobilised a somewhat downbeat organisation”. He said, “it succeeded in the messaging of key themes – inequalities, polarisation and tanashahi (dictatorship).”
Congress members assert that the yatra has continued since, in the form of Rahul’s intermittent meetings with workers across occupation groups, from artisans to rail pilots. Rahul said it taught him “the beauty of silence”, with the power to tune out the noise and listen to the person next to him, as he did during his 145 days footmarch.
Awaited now is ‘Bharat Dojo Yatra’, that Rahul recently announced while sharing a video of martial arts sessions held at campsites of BJY, and explaining ‘Dojo’ as a training site.
Enthused by what it views as the change in political atmosphere since, the party presented the yatra as a continuing mission by moving from its slogan of ‘Bharat Jodo’ to ‘Bharat judne tak (Till India unites)’.The rank and file led by top leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal and Gaurav Gogoi posted messages on social media with the hashtag of the new slogan.
The 4,000 km padyatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir started on Sept 7, 2022, which then led to East to West Yatra in 2024 ahead of the elections. Rahul said, “When I started this journey, I said love will conquer hate and hope will defeat fear, today our mission remains the same.” Kharge on X said, “On the occasion… I only appeal to the countrymen to continue the struggle to preserve the Constitution and democracy.”
Down and out since 2014 in the face of a polarisation-powered BJP, the yatra is widely viewed in Congress and outside as having given a new paradigm for the opposition to take on the ruling party. The boldness to confront BJP on the issue of polarisation and “threat to Constitution”, shedding widespread in-house concerns of a backlash, emerged from the yatra, which then became unexpected weapons in denting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2024.
The praise for BJY on its anniversary was lavish. While Congress general secretary KC Venugopal called it the “single most impactful political phenomenon of the last decade”, party spokesperson Jairam Ramesh said, “It heralded a change in the politics of our country.” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “BJY is a mission of Rahul Gandhi to unite the country – which is continuing even today.”
According to Ramesh, the yatra resulted in the “emergence of real Rahul Gandhi”, even as it “mobilised a somewhat downbeat organisation”. He said, “it succeeded in the messaging of key themes – inequalities, polarisation and tanashahi (dictatorship).”
Congress members assert that the yatra has continued since, in the form of Rahul’s intermittent meetings with workers across occupation groups, from artisans to rail pilots. Rahul said it taught him “the beauty of silence”, with the power to tune out the noise and listen to the person next to him, as he did during his 145 days footmarch.
Awaited now is ‘Bharat Dojo Yatra’, that Rahul recently announced while sharing a video of martial arts sessions held at campsites of BJY, and explaining ‘Dojo’ as a training site.