The singular focus on the “Bharat Jodo”, the 3,700 kms plus Yatra, the longest March ever by a political party from Kanyakumari to Kashmir is to rekindle the flame of brotherhood and fraternity amongst the people of the country. Needless to say that the ruling powers and the right-wing brigade is using all forums and all forms of media to sow the seeds of hate, insecurity and suspicion using the card of religion, caste and culture amongst the people of India. Any dissent of opinion is being projected as anti-national. The diverse and rich cultural lifestyle of Indians is positioned as a threat and security to the nation. The ”Unite Bharat” Yatra is to assure the people of India that majority of Indians from all religions and communities recognise the nation’s diversity and believe that every Indian has the freedom of speech and choice in our constitutional democracy.
Undoubtedly, Congress has taken the lead to awaken Indians and also to give them the confidence that India stands for liberty, secularism, social harmony and constitutional values. At the same time, the Yatra is drawing intellectuals, social activists and people across political affiliations to strongly communicate the message of brotherhood. The end goal is not to score political points for the Congress but to assert against the politics of hate and communalism which is ruining the social fibre of the greatest democracy in the world.
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For nearly a decade now, we have seen the BJP and their frontal organisations questioning the basic tenets of our constitutional democracy. They have been doing this since independence but with the ascendency to political power at the Centre and in some States, their attack on democracy, liberalism, secularism and economic justice has become vitriolic. Their majoritarian politics is destroying inclusive social and economic development of the minorities and the underprivileged sections. The State power is misused and abused by the BJP at the Centre and in the BJP ruled States to curb dissent and progressive forces. The” Bharat Jodo Yatra” is to promise the people of India that majority of Indians think differently and to empower all Indians to forge ahead with the message of love and fraternity.
There could be hidden political advantages of the Yatra for the political opposition including the Congress. But, Rahul Gandhi leading the Yatra has repeatedly maintained that going to the people and standing with them shoulder to shoulder was required as the nation is engulfed by hatred and divisive agenda and vengeance against fellow Indians by targeting them on religion, caste, lifestyle, political opinions and affiliations.
The BJP leaders are mockingly advising Rahul Gandhi to first set right the disunity in the Congress. Coinciding with the commencement of the Yatra, the BJP engineered defection of eight Congress legislators in Goa. When confronted, Rahul Gandhi coolly replied that such dirty games of the BJP will not dissuade the resolve of the Congress.
To quote Rahul Gandhi “the Yatra is a battle with the ideology which killed the Mahatma Gandhi”. We may not join the Yatra on the ground, but all Indians should unite to protect, preserve and foster our constitutional democracy through the routes and instruments possible for us.
