Rahul Gandhi flags off 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' from Thoubal, Manipur
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi along with the party president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday flagged off the 6,713 km-long 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' from the the strife-torn state of Manipur. The yatra began at noon from the Khongjom War Memorial. (Image credit: PTI)
Congress leaders paid silent tribute to people killed in Manipur violence
Before the yatra began, Congress leaders along with the party workers paid a silent tribute to the people killed in the violence in Manipur. The widespread ethnic strife that broke out in May last year, claimed more than 180 lives and rendered thousands homeless. (Image credit: ANI)
'PM didn't come to wipe your tears': Rahul in his address to people of Manipur
Addressing a rally, Rahul Gandhi criticised PM Narendra Modi for not visiting the violence hit Manipur. "Lakhs of people faced losses, but the prime minister has not come here to wipe your tears, hold your hand or embrace you," Gandhi said. (Image credit: ANI)
'Maybe for Modi ji, BJP & RSS, Manipur not part of country'
Continuing his onslaught on PM Modi, Rahul said, "Maybe for Narendra Modi, the BJP and the RSS, Manipur is not a part of India. Your pain is not their pain." (Image credit: ANI)
'Will bring back harmony, peace'
Addressing the public gathering, Rahul Gandhi promised to bring peace and harmony to the violence-hit state of Manipur. "We understand the pain that the people of Manipur have been through, we understand the hurt, the sadness. We will bring back harmony, peace and affection for which this state was known," he said. (Image credit: ANI)
'Muh mein Ram, bagal mein chhuri'
Lashing out at the BJP for mixing 'religion and politics', Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Modi keeps chanting 'Ram, Ram', but he should not do it to seek votes. The BJP mixes religion and politics, and incites people," further adding, "BJP has 'Ram' on its lips but carries a knife by their side." (Image credit: ANI)
'Nehru described Manipur as the jewel of India'
Recalling the times when the north-eastern states got their statehood, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, Nagaland got its statehood under Jawaharlal Nehru in 1963," further adding, "When Jawaharlal Nehru first visited Manipur, he described it as the jewel of India. And the same was said by Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi." (Image credit: ANI)
'Duty as politician': Lok Sabha member Danish Ali joined the Yatra
Calling it his 'duty as a politician and a social worker', Lok Sabha member Danish Ali who was recently suspended by the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) decided to join the Yatra. "I have decided to join him (Rahul Gandhi) in this yatra because I feel I would be failing in my duty as a politician and a social worker if I did not join the biggest drive for unity and justice. I pray for the success of this yatra and for the future of my country", he said. (Image credit: PTI)
Bharat Jodo 2.0 to cover 15 states in 67 days
The yatra will traverse through 15 states in 67 days covering 100 Lok Sabha seats across 110 districts extending over 6,500 kms. In late 2022, Gandhi had led the first 'Bharat Jodo Yatra,' which witnessed him cover more than 3,000 kms on foot- from Kanyakumari to Srinagar. The second version of the Yatra or Bharat Jodo Yatra 2.0 would be a hybrid one from east to west in the wake of upcoming general elections. (Image credit: PTI)