New Delhi (Agency): On the first anniversary of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge highlights the journey’s aim to combat societal issues, restore democratic values, and strengthen national unity.
As the Bharat Jodo Yatra celebrates its first anniversary, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge sheds light on the true meaning of this historic foot march. It is not merely a physical journey but a deeply symbolic act aimed at “rebuilding our broken collective conscience,” Kharge stated on Thursday.
Initiated on this day in 2022, the Bharat Jodo Yatra embarked from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, the southernmost tip of India. Covering over 4,000 kilometers, the yatra culminated in Srinagar earlier this year. “It’s a people’s movement, unequalled in history,” Kharge emphasized, indicating that the march has been far more than a physical endeavor. It has been a way to combat the “menace of hate and hostility” in society through open dialogue and discussion.
In a statement, Kharge pointed out that the core Indian values of “justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity” stand as supreme principles for the Congress party. “We are continuously reaching out to people in an endeavor to reclaim our Constitution and protect our Democracy,” he declared.
Notably, the journey has faced its share of challenges and criticisms. Kharge addressed this by saying, “The trend of manufacturing irrelevant headlines to divert attention from the real issues is a systemic attack on our collective conscience.” He underscored the yatra’s goal to bring pivotal societal matters—such as economic inequalities, price rise, unemployment, and social injustices—into public focus.
Rahul Gandhi, along with other “Bharat Yatris,” were congratulated by Kharge for their efforts in making the campaign a resounding success. According to the Congress chief, the yatra involved 12 public meetings, over 100 street corner meetings, and 13 press conferences. Additionally, Gandhi had 275 planned walking interactions and more than 100 sitting interactions, showcasing the party’s commitment to grassroots-level engagement.
While the yatra covered an impressive distance geographically, its most crucial impact has been its attempt to mend the social fabric of the nation, Kharge argued. “It seeks to bring real issues to the center stage of people’s imagination,” he concluded, emphasizing the importance of collective action for societal change.
