Bharat Jodo Yatra is seen as the country’s longest rally in the last century. A walkathon organized by the Indian National Congress under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, senior Congress Party leaders is seen actively participating in the Yatra along with others. People from all walks of life are gathering at various points along the Yatra and marching together.
Those who are unable to participate in the Yatra are spreading the word and ‘josh’ by organizing events and participating in online campaigns. A celebration of India’s unity, and a festival of hope, with musical performances and contests, the yatra is open to all.
Let’s check out all about this Unity Yatra by Congress in 2022
Bharat Jodo Yatra Route and Length
The Yatra started on September 7 from Kanyakumari and will end in Kashmir. It is a 3,570-kilometer, 150-day-long foot march that will pass 12 states. As we write this article, the Yatra has completed 420kms and is currently at Pallakad, Kerala with 3150 km left.
Who is Participating in this 2022 Unity Yatra by Congress?
People across all walks of life – political party leaders, intellectuals, social activists, writers, artists, entrepreneurs, and professionals are joining the yatra as and when it is passing from the area.
From the Congress party, there are 119 participants who will be walking for 150-days. This includes Rahul Gandhi, the former president of INC. During the 150 days, these yatris will be staying on the roads, sleeping in 59 containers mounted on the truck, and cooking on the campsite. The laundry will be done every 3 days.
The average age of Bharat Yatris is 38 years. While the oldest participant is 58-year-old Vijendra Singh Mahlawat of Rajasthan, the youngest are two 25-year-old young lads from Arunachal Pradesh. Out of 119 participants, 28 participants are women.
What is The Goal of the Yatra?
The yatra’s goal is to unite the voices of the people of India, defending the fundamental tenets of the Constitution, and bring back hope in the common man who seems to be in despair due to rising prices, communal hatred, bigotry, and falling prices.
The nationwide foot march’s tagline or slogan is “mile kadam, jude vatan” (walk together, unite the country). इक तेरा कदम, इक मेरा कदम, मिल जाए तो जुड़ जाए अपना वतन! चली चली भारत जोड़ो यात्रा चली #MileKadamJudeVatan
Will There Be More Versions of Bharat Jodo Yatra in the Coming Days?
The Congress announced in mid-September that the Assam version of the yatra from Dhubri to Sadiya would begin on November 1. The yatra will travel approximately 800 kilometers across the state. It did the same in Odisha, where the state version of the yatra will cover 2,250 km in 100 days beginning October 31 as a show of strength for the Congress. The rally will begin in Bhubaneswar and will travel to Cuttack, Jajpur, Balasore, and other cities.
Other Party’s Reaction on BJY
- Bharatiya Janata Party
The Bharatiya Janata Party slammed the rally, dubbing it the “Parivar Bachao Rally.” Surprisingly, these remarks came as Congress was preparing to hold its presidential election.
- Shiv Sena
The Shiv Sena, through its mouthpiece Saamana, supported the yatra and accused the BJP of being afraid of the yatra.
- Aam Aadmi Party
The Aam Aadmi Party cancelled the yatra, claiming that it produced no results.
Controversies
The Bharat Jodi Yatra has been chastised for not passing through Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, which are both electoral states. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh defended the decision, claiming that it would take 90-95 days to travel from Kanyakumari to Gujarat, making it “impossible to reach before the elections, even with Himachal Pradesh.” He also stated that he and several others, including another senior Congress leader, Digvijay Singh, would pay visits to states where the yatra would not take place.
On September 23, Congress halted the yatra in Thrissur for a rest day, which was apparently the day an Islamist organization, the Popular Front of India (PFI), called for a “bandh” in Kerala in response to the National Investigation Agency. The (NIA) raided them the day before.
BJP’s Kapil Mishra linked the yatra’s halt to the bandh and claimed that the Congress was in solidarity with the PFI. Congress responded by claiming that the break was premeditated and had nothing to do with the PFI. When asked about his comments on the PFI raid, Rahul Gandhi also stated that there should be zero tolerance for all forms of communalism.
Will The Unity Yatra by Congress Revive the Party’s Hope in the Coming Elections?
Walking the entire stretch without stopping in 150 days, talking to locals, understanding their problems, and braving BJP attacks in their stronghold, will likely benefit the image of Congress as well as that of Rahul Gandhi who is undoubtedly a people’s man and believe it or not have the ability to connect with almost everybody easily irrespective of their age and gender. Even his critics who call him pappu know this though they might not agree in public.
However, in terms of polls, the party has to work harder. After all, elections are won through ground strength and a stronghold at the grassroots level of the party, both of which the Congress needs to improve.
Anybody can join the Yatra by registering on the walkathon’s sign up page or by giving a missed call to 99 999 80 200. For more info, you can visit the social media handles of the Yatra – Facebook, Twitter, Insta and YouTube.
